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Columbia  ®nit)trjsiftj) 

intl)f(i:itpoflrttj]|ark 

THE  LIBRARIES 


THE 


HISTORY  AND  CHRONICLES 


OF 


SCOTLAND. 


THE 

HISTORY  AND  CHRONICLES 

OF 

SCOTLAND: 

WRITTEN  IN  LATIN 

BY  HECTOR  BOECE, 

CANON  OF  ABERDEEN ; 
AND  TRANSLATED 

BY  JOHN  BELLENDEN, 

ARCHDEAN  OF  MORAY,  AND  CANON  OF  ROSS. 


VOLUME  I. 


EDINBURGH  : 

REPRINTED  FOR  W.  AND  C.  TAIT. 

M.DCCC.XXI. 


vi  ADVERTISEMENT. 

sionally  even  in  expression,  from  another  copy,  in  the 
library  of  the  late  Lord  Hailes,  which  has  been  used  in 
revising  the  proof-sheets.  These  copies  contain  no  inter- 
nal evidence  of  the  precise  dates  of  their  publication,  which 
must,  however,  have  been  very  near  to  the  periods  as- 
signed by  Herbert.  Davidson  was  appointed  Royal  Print- 
er in  1540,  and  the  Statutes  of  James  the  Fifth,  which  he 
printed  at  the  command  of  that  monarch,  bear  the  date 
of  1541.^ 

There  is  no  information  to  be  obtained  respecting  the 
engraver  of  the  curious  wood-cut  which  ornaments  the  last 
leaf  of  Bellenden's  work,  and  of  which  a  fac-simile  has  been 
executed,  for  the  present  reprint,  by  ISIr  Lizars.  We  can 
scarcely  venture  to  attribute  the  original  to  a  Scottish,  or 
even  to  an  English  artist,  among  whose  works,  at  this  time, 
we  rarely  discover  either  tolerable  design  or  careful  exe- 
cution. It  is  more  than  probable  that  Davidson  procured 
the  block  from  Germany,  where  the  Formschneiders  had 
made  considerable  progress  in  the  art  of  engraving  upon 
wood,  at  an  early  period.  The  copy  of  the  Acts  of  two 
Parliaments  of  James  the  Ffth,  printed  upon  vellum  by 
him,  in  1541,  and  preserved  in  the  Advocates'  Library, 
contains  a  fine  impression  of  the  same  print,  to  which  is 
subjoined  the  following  monkish  distich  : 

En  ego,  justicie  typus  atq.  figura,  tribunal 
Sic  ascendo  nieuni :  dextra  assertoribus  alta 
Astipulor  veri,  quibus  hec  mea  lilia  merces ; 
At  si  quis  contra  sentit,  demissa  sinistra 
In  stygios  jubet  ire  lacus,  gladioq.  feriri. 


'  The  only  copy  of  this  book  knoMn  to  exist,  is  printed  upon  vellum, 
and  preserved  in  the  Advocates'  Library. 


ADVERTISEMENT.  vii 

The  subject  of  the  print  scarcely  requires  any  descrip- 
tion. Within  a  circle  of  roses  are  the  ordinary  emblems 
of  the  Trinity ;  on  the  right  and  left  appear  the  Virgin, 
with  an  infant  Jesus  in  her  arms ;  Moses,  and  the  Royal 
Psalmist ;  St  Peter,  with  the  keys  of  heaven ;  St  Paul, 
and  the  Lion  of  St  Mark  ;  with  a  large  assembly  of  pro- 
phets, apostles,  martyrs,  pilgrims,  popes,  cardinals,  vir- 
gins, and  matrons.  The  lower  part  of  the  engraving  ex- 
hibits a  scene  in  purgatory.  A  more  minute  descrip- 
tion may  be  found  in  Herbert's  edition  of  Ames's  Typo- 
graphical Antiqidties.  The  general  design  is  full  of  spi- 
rit; and  the  execution  of  the  engraving  has  not  been 
surpassed  by  the  most  skilful  of  modern  Xylographers. 

The  original  title-page  has  also  been  accurately  copied 
upon  a  reduced  scale,  for  this  Work.  It  exhibits  a  rude 
engraving  of  the  Arms  of  Scotland,  a  favourite  ornament 
with  our  early  printers.  The  original  may  have  been  exe- 
cuted in  Scotland,  and  its  merit  is  not  diminished  in  the 
copy  by  !Mr  Lizars.  The  blooming  letters  used  in  the 
course  of  these  volumes  were  designed  and  engraved  by 
this  ingenious  artist.  The  two  small  wood-cuts  which 
occur  in  the  fourth  and  twelfth  Books  were  executed  by 
Mr  Bewick.^ 


^  There  are  in  Scotland  two  copies  of  Bellenden's  Boece,  printed  upon 
vellxim.  One  of  these  is  preserved  in  the  library  of  the  Duke  of  Hamil- 
ton ;  and  a  more  splendid  specimen  of  early  typography,  and  of  antique 
binding,  cannot  well  be  imagined.  The  vellum  upon  which  it  is  printed 
is  stainless — and  the  breadth  of  the  margin  would  satisfy  the  most  fasti- 
dious and  princely  Collector.  The  boards  bear  the  following  inscription. 
Jacobus  Quintus  Rex  Scotorum — and  on  the  title-page,  the  initials 
J.  R'^  appear  in  manuscript.  They  are,  in  all  probability,  in  the  hand- 
wi'iting  of  that  monarch,  to  whom  the  volume  appears  to  have  belonged.  The 


viii  ADVERTISEMENT. 

There  are  several  manuscript  copies  extant  of  Bellen- 
den's  Translation  of  Boece.  The  most  ancient  and  au- 
thentic of  these  belongs  to  Sir  Alexander  Boswell  of 
Auchinleck.  It  differs  materially  from  the  printed  work; 
and  the  Editor  regrets  extremely  that  the  arrangement^ 
for  the  present  publication  did  not  admit  of  collating 
them.  The  earlier  part,  as  far  as  the  end  of  the  table 
to  the  fourth  Book,  is  wanting.  What  remains  of  the 
table  differs  in  many  respects  from  the  printed  copy. 
Then  follows  the  list  of  Kings,  which  is  a  fuller  transla- 
tion of  Boece's  catalogue.  This  is  succeeded  by  "  Ane 
Ballat,"  which  is  the  same  with  the  "  Prohem  of  the 
History ;"  but  concludes,  "  Heir  endis  the  ballat,  and 
"  beginnis  the  Preface  direkkit  to  our  Soverane  Lord 
"  King  James  the  Fyft."  The  preface  occupies  four  pages 
and  a  half  of  the  IMS.  It  is  just  the  Epistle  which  con- 
cludes the  printed  volume  under  the  title  of"  The  Epis- 
"  tie  direckit  be  the  translatour  to  the  Kingis  grace ;"  but 
concludes  with  the  following  date,  which  is  material,  as 
ascertaining  the  period  at  which  the  translation  must  have 
been  executed :  "  At  Edinburgh,  the  last  day  of  August, 
"  the  year  of  God,  one  thousand  five  hundreth  and 
"  thretty-ane  yeiris." 

It  would  be  vain  to  attempt  an  enumeration  of  the  dis- 
crepancies that  occur  in  the  historical  part  of  the  narrative ; 


other,  which  is  inferior,  belongs  to  the  library  of  the  University  of  Edin- 
burgh. The  title-page  bears  the  following  quaint  inscription  :  "  Thomas 
"  Willson  Mercator,  me  Bibliothecae  Edinburgensse  done  dedit,  Auo-dom. 
"  1669."  This  valuable  volume  seems  to  have  been  heedlessly  committed 
to  the  hands  of  a  tasteless  bookbinder,  and  has,  in  consequence,  suffered 
much  from  those  operations  known  by  the  name  of  cobbling. 


ADVERTISEMENT.  ix 

but  a  few  of  them  may  be  noticed.  In  the  third  chapter  of 
the  Fourteentli  Book,  the  passage  beginning,  "  It  was  said 
"  be  thame  that  followit  the  opinion  of  Ballial,"  runs  thus 
in  the  IMS. :  "  It  is  said  that  Robert  Bruse  wes  the  causs  of 
"  the  discomfit  of  this  last  feild  at  Dunbar ;  for  in  the  be- 
"  ginning  of  the  battel,  he  permittit  to  King  Edward  to 
"  come  from  King  Balial,  with  all  his  freindis  and  kynnis- 
"  men,"  and  then  he  goes  for  his  reward  to  the  English 
monarch.  A  very  remarkable  variation  occurs  in  the  fifth 
chapter  of  the  same  Book.  In  the  MS.,  Wallace's  speech 
to  Bruce  is  literally  translated  from  Boece ;  while,  in  the 
printed  copy,  all  his  abuse  of  Bruce  is  omitted,  and  an 
apology  introduced. 

In  the  printed  work,  the  Fifteenth  Book  commences 
with  an  account  of  the  proceedings  of  Sir  James  Douglas, 
which  is  omitted  in  the  MS.,  where  this  Book  begins 
as  follows : — 

"  A7id  hegy7iis  ye  xv  Buke  of  ye  samyne.  How  David 
*'  Bruse  was  maid  King  of  Scotland ;  and  hoiv  Erie 
"  Thomas  Randaill  was  maid  Governor  yairof.  Of  his 
^*  gret  justice ;  and  of  his  deith.  Ca.  Primo. 

"  QuHEN  King  Robert  was  deceissit  in  yis  maner,  his 
"  sone,  David  Bruse,  was  maid  king  ;  and  becaus  he  was 
"  unable  to  govern  ye  realme  for  his  non  age,  Erie  Tho- 
"  mas  Randaill  was  maid  governor ;  for  nane  was  yat 
"  day  compair  to  him  in  manheid  and  prudence,  except 
"  Schir  James  Douglass,  quhilk  was,  as  we  have  schawin, 
**  votit  to  ye  Haly  Land.     Erie  Thomas  was  governour 

VOL.   I.  b 


X  ADVERTISEMENT. 

''  als,  iiij  zeris,  during  ye  infirmite  of  King  Robert ; 
"  and  becaus  ye  peple  was  brokin  with  lang  warris,  he 
"  thocht  best,  quhill  yai  war  refreschit,  to  mak  peace 
"  with  Ingland.  Sic  thingis  done,  he  set  his  besiness  to 
"  governe  ye  reahne  in  peace,  comanding  his  officiar  to 
"  do  justice  in  all  partis.  And  yat  yai  suld  not  remane 
"  unmyndfull  of  yair  warris,  he  comandit  yame  to  have 
"  yair  wappynnis  &  harnes  ay  reddy  to  battell ;  foryer,  to 
•'•  nuriss  gud  men  injustice,  and  to  puniss  ewill  men, 
•'  (quhilks  repugnant  yairto.)  He  comandit  yat  saidillis, 
"  bridillis,  and  all  uyer  instruments  pertenand  to  ye  use  of 
"  husbandry,  suld  ly  yairfurth  bayth  day  and  nycht ;  and 
"  gif  ony  thing  war  tane  away,  yat  ye  shereff  of  ye  schir 
"  suld  outher  causs  it  to  be  restorit  to  ye  aunaris,  or  ellis 
"  to  pay  it  one  his  awin  burss.  Finalie,  sic  extreme  puni- 
"  tionis  was  maid  one  thevis,  yat  baith  thift  and  pikry 
"  war  dantit  in  all  partis ;  and  mony  broken  men*  dantit 
"  of  yair  wild  insolence,  howbeid  yai  beleiffit  to  use  sic 
*'  oppressionis  one  ye  peple  in  tyme  of  peace,  as  yai  usit 
"  afore, quhen  ye  cuntre  was  troublit  be  civill  conten tionis. 
"  Attour,  yat  vertue  suld  be  autorist  in  yis  realm e,  he 
"  comandit  yat  na  vagabound  peple,  menstralis,  nor  jug- 
"  gillouris,  be  ressavit  in  ony  touns,  without  yai  had  sum 
"  craft  to  debait  yair  leving,  (becaus  yai  war  proffitable 
"  allanerlie  in  tyme  of  battell.)  Be  yis  way,  he  purgit  ye 
"  realme  of  mony  ydill  lymaris." 

The  corresponding  passage  in  the  printed  copy  is  ma- 
terially different.  If  Bellenden  personally  superintended 
the  publication,  he  must  have  had  some  purpose,  which 
cannot  now  be  detected,  in  garbling  his  original  composi- 
tion. In  the  Auchinleck  MSS.  there  is  considerably  more 


ADVERTISEMENT.  xi 

of  the  vernacular  language  of  Scotland  than  in  the  printed 
work. 

The  Editor  is  indebted  to  Sir  Alexander  Boswell  for 
these  collations.  He  is  also  indebted  to  Mr  George  Chal- 
mers for  a  variety  of  particulars  relative  to  Boece  and 
Bellenden ;  extracted  by  that  gentleman  from  an  unpub- 
lished work  of  his  own,  on  the  Printing  and  Printers  of 
Scotland,  which,  it  is  hoped,  he  will  not  long  withhold 
from  the  world. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


He  early  part  of  the  Literary  History 
of  Scotland  is  involved  in  much  ob- 
scurity, and  has  not  been  investigated 
with  a  due  share  either  of  care  or  of 
candour.     Many  eminent  writers  who 
adorned  the  reigns  of  the  Stuarts  du- 
ring the  fifteenth  and  sixteenth  centu- 
ries, are  now  in  a  great  measure  unknown  or  forgotten. 
The  difficulties  these  early  writers  had  to  encounter,  from 
the  limited  sources  of  information  which  they  possessed, 
—-the  absence  of  authentic  records  to  guide  them  in  their 
researches,— the  romantic  and  fabulous  times  of  which  they 
wrote, and  the  want  of  science  to  operate  as  a  check  up- 
on credulity,  seem  entirely  to  have  escaped  those  critics 
by  whom  their  labours  have  been  depreciated,  and  their 
claims  to  the  gratitude  of  posterity  denied. 

John  Barbour,  the  father  of  Scottish  Historians,  com- 
posed his  celebrated  historical  poem  upon  the  exploits  of 


xiv  BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

Robert  the  Great,  about  the  year  1375 ;  and,  looking  to 
the  remote  period  at  which  it  was  written,  it  is  a  work  of 
great  merit.  The  subject  is  well  selected  and  skilfully 
managed.  TJie  Bruce  was  truly  the  hero  of  Scottish  chi- 
valry ;  and  Barbour  relates  his  mighty  deeds  with  all  the 
enthusiasm  of  a  Scottish  poet.  His  narrative  is  remark- 
able for  simplicity,  and  his  style  is  by  no  means  deficient 
in  fancy.  He  appears  to  have  been  acquainted  with  an- 
cient literature ;  but  it  is  to  be  regretted,  that  the  taste 
of  the  age  should  have  led  him  to  study  Statius  and  Clau- 
dian,  rather  than  Virgil  and  Horace.  He  certainly,  how- 
ever, improved  the  language  of  his  country,  "  by  a  strain 
of  versification,  expression,  and  poetical  images,  far  supe- 
rior to  the  age  in  which  he  lived." '  It  is  difficult  to  ar- 
rive at  any  satisfactory  conclusion  as  to  the  credit  due  to 
his  historical  details,  but  the  researches  of  Lord  Hailes 
leave  a  favourable  impression  of  their  accuracy. 

The  Scotichronico7i,  the  earliest  general  history  of  Scot- 
land that  has  reached  our  time,  was  compiled  during  the 
reign  of  Robert  the  Second,  by  John  of  Foiidun, — so 
named  from  the  supposed  place  of  his  birth,  a  village  in 
Kincardineshire.  This  venerable  Chronicler  flourished 
about  the  year  1380.  His  Latinity  is  barbarous ;  but  he  is 
admitted  to  have  been  a  useful  compiler  of  history,  by  a 
writer"  who  is  never  disposed  to  bestow  unmerited  com- 
mendation upon  the  early  historians  of  Scotland.  Lord 
Hailes,  too,  avails  himself  liberally  of  the  materials  fur- 


'  Warton's  History  of  English  Poetry,  I.  318. 
^  Pinkerton. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xv 

iiished  by  Fordun,  and  appears  to  have  set  considerable 
value  upon  them. 

The  Scotkhronicon  was  continued  by  Walter  Bo- 
war,  Abbot  of  St  Colm,  to  the  end  of  the  reign  of  James 
the  First.  His  materials  are  valuable  and  authentic,  but 
they  are  ill- digested,  and  his  style  possesses  no  attraction. 

Andrew  Winton,  Prior  of  Lochleven,  was  a  con- 
temporary of  Bowar.  He  composed  his  Metrical  Chro- 
nicle  of  Scotland  about  the  year  1420,  during  the  regen- 
cy of  Murdoc,  Duke  of  Albany.  This  curious  work  re- 
mained in  manuscript,  till  that  part  of  it  which  relates  to 
the  affairs  of  Scotland  was  introduced  to  the  notice  of  the 
world  by  the  late  Mr  David  ;M'Pherson,  in  a  publication 
which  appeared  in  1795.  It  contains  much  genealogical 
information  relating  to  many  of  the  noble  families  of 
Scotland. 

The  period  during  which  Bowar  and  Winton  flourished, 
was  followed  by  a  long  pause  in  the  progress  of  historical 
writing  in  Scotland,  while  considerable  advancement  was 
made  in  the  fine  arts.  James  the  First,  who  had  not  ne- 
glected the  culture  of  his  mind  during  the  gloom  of  his 
tedious  captivity,  indulged  with  great  success  in  poetical 
composition.  His  grandson  was  devoted  to  architecture 
and  painting ;  and  the  great  hall  in  the  Castle  of  Stirling, 
with  Roslyii's  proud  ChapeUe,  attest  the  taste  of  the  mo- 
narch and  of  the  age.  The  unfortunate  hero  of  Flodden 
Field  was  fonder  of  the  ways  of  strife  than  of  the  paths 
of  peace ;  yet,  true  to  the  character  of  his  race,  he  was 
not  regardless  of  the  interests  of  literature.     His  famous 


xvi  BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

statute  relative  to  Education  ^  deserves  to  be  commemo 
rated,  as  an  enactment  worthy  of  an  enlightened  legislator. 
Although  it  related  only  to  the  children  of  the  higher 
orders,  it  may  be  viewed  as  in  some  measure  the  com- 
mencement of  that  system  which  ultimately  resulted  in 
the  establishment  of  Parish  Schools,  by  an  act  of  the 
Privy  Council,  in  I6l6.  It  was  under  the  auspices  of 
James  the  Fourth,  too,  that  the  typographical  art  was  in- 
troduced into  Scotland,  and  that  the  excellent  Bishop 
Elphinston  founded  the  University  of  Aberdeen. 

With  the  reign  of  James  the  Fifth  commenced  the 
golden  age  of  the  early  literature  of  Scotland.  The  cha- 
racter of  this  monarch  is  familiar  to  every  reader  of  his- 
tory. Eminent  as  a  poet,  and  remarkable  for  his  love  of 
learning,  his  court  was  filled  with  accomplished  scholars, 
and  his  praises  were  sung  by  the  poets  of  his  own  as 
well  as  of  foreign  lands. 

And  ye,  my  soverenej  be  lyne  coutinuall. 
Ay  come  of  kingis  your  progenitouris. 
And  writis  in  ornate  style  poetically 
Quick-flowand  vers  of  rhethorik  cullouris, 
Sa  freschlie  springand  in  youre  lusty  flouris. 
To  the  grete  comforte  of  all  trew  Scottismeu — 

was  the  address  of  a  Scottish  poet  to  James ;  and  it  is  sup- 
posed that  Ariosto  "  glaunceth  at  his  worth  in  the  per^ 
son  of  Zerhino,  whom  he  nameth  Prince  of  Scotland" 


1  1494,  c.  54. 

2  Drummond's  History  of  Scotland,  Edin.  l682,  p.  348. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xvii 

The  earliest  historian  during  this  reign,  whose  writ- 
ings have  come  down  to  us,  is  John  Mair.  His  work, 
De  Gestis  Scotorum,  was  written  in  1518,  and  first  print- 
ed at  Paris,  in  1521,  by  Badius  Ascensius,  with  the 
usual  elegance  which  distinguished  his  press.  JMair  was 
less  credulous  than  the  historians  who  preceded  him, 
and  corrected  many  of  the  figments^  as  he  calls  them, 
of  Scottish  history.  His  narrative  closes  with  the  mar- 
riage of  James  the  Fourth,  in  1495.  *•  He  wrote,"  says 
Archbishop  Spottiswood,  "  howbeit  in  a  sorhonkJc  and 
*'  barbarous  style,  yet  very  truly,  and  with  a  great  liberty 
*•  of  spirit."  ^  He  was  followed  by  a  writer  of  distinguish- 
ed talents,  and  unquestionably  one  of  the  most  accom- 
plished scholars  of  his  age. 

Hector  Boece  ^ 

was  descended  from  an  honourable  family  in  the  county 
of  Angus,  who  possessed  the  barony  of  Panbride  for  a 
long  period  of  years.  David  the  Second,  having  appointed 
a  council  to  meet  at  Perth,  commanded  the  names  of  all 
those  who  had  done  good  service  to  their  country,  or 
whose  fathers  had  been  slain  at  the  battles  of  Duplin  and 
Halydonhill,  to  be  communicated  to  him,  in  order  that 
he  might  have  an  opportunity  of  rewarding  them.     His 


^  History  of  Church  of  Scotland,  p.  68. 

2  The  name  is  variously  written,  Boyis,  Boyes,  Boiss,  Boice,  and  Boece. 
The  last  has  been  adopted  as  the  more  usual  orthography.  It  came  origi- 
nally from  France,  and  never  appears  to  have  been  common  in  Scotland. 
It  occurs  only  once  in  the  General  Index  to  the  Retours— .Bariarf/o 
Boyes  hicola  in  Dundee.     Inquis.  Generales,  7528. 

VOL.  I.  C 


xviii  BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

rewards  consisted  chiefly  of  gold,  silver,  and  jewels ;  but 
Boece  informs  us,  that  the  heiress  and  barony  of  Pan- 
bride,  or  Balbride,  were  bestowed  upon  Hugh  Boece,  his 
grandfather,  in  consequence  of  his  father  having  fallen  at 
the  battle  of  Duplin.  This  property  still  belonged  to  the 
family,  during  the  reign  of  James  the  Fifth. 

Boece  was  born  at  Dundee,  about  the  year  1465-6; 
and  hence  he  assumed  the  sirname  of  Deidonanus.  His 
education  commenced  at  his  native  place.  It  was  con- 
tinued at  Aberdeen,  and  afterwards  completed  at  Paris, 
where,  in  1497,  he  became  a  Professor  of  Philosophy  in 
the  college  of  JNIontacute.  During  his  residence  in  that 
university,  he  had  an  opportunity  of  forming  an  intimacy 
with  many  of  the  most  eminent  scholars  of  the  time. 
Among  these  was  Erasmus,  with  whom,  during  the  after- 
part  of  his  life,  he  maintained  a  regular  correspondence. 
As  a  mark  of  his  esteem,  Erasmus  dedicated  a  Catalogue 
of  his  works  to  Boece,  and  accompanied  the  transmission 
of  it  with  a  very  eloquent  and  affectionate  letter,  in  which 
he  reflects,  with  much  complacency,  upon  his  intellectual 
intercourse  with  him  at  Paris,  when  they  were  both  ac- 
tively engaged  in  literary  pursuits.  ^ 


^  This  letter  was  in  answer  to  one  which  Erasmus  had  previously  re- 
ceived from  the  Scottish  historian,  dated  at  Aberdeen,  on  the  7th  of  June 
1528.  By  some  accident,  it  appears  not  to  have  reached  him  till  the  month 
of  February,  1530.  After  assigning  this  circumstance  as  the  cause  of  his 
apparent  long  delay  in  replying  to  Boece's  communication,  Erasmus  pro- 
ceeds,— "  Quam,  mihi  tua  consuetudo  jucuuda  fuit  Hector  eruditissime, 
"  quum  ante  annos  triginta  duo  Lutetiae  in  literarum  stadio  pariter  cur- 
"  reremus,  licet  te  pro  ingenii  tui  singulari  felicitate  multis  passibus  prse- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xix 

In  1500,  Boece  was  invited,  by  Bishop  Elphinston,  to 
become  Principal  of  King's  College,  Aberdeen,  which  he 
had  a  short  time  before  founded,  under  the  patronage  of 
James  the  Fourth.  This  invitation  was  at  first  unfavour- 
ably received,  but,  allured  by  "  gifts  and  promises,"^  Boece 
at  last  yielded  to  the  solicitations  of  his  countryman.  He 
left  Paris  and  his  learned  friends  with  regret.  Upon 
returning  to  his  native  country,  he  experienced  a  kind 
reception  from  the  Canons  of  Aberdeen,  and  immediate- 
ly entered  upon  the  discharge  of  his  professorial  du- 
ties. His  associate  in  these  was  William  Hay,  a  person 
of  whom  he  speaks  with  respect  and  affection.  They 
were  both  natives  of  Angus;  they  had  spent  their  youth 
together  in  Dundee ;  and  they  had  afterwards  stu- 
died at  Paris,  under  the  same  masters.  By  their  joint 
exertions.  King's  College  acquired  great  celebrity,  and 
became  a  nursery  of  excellent  scholars.  Boece  discharged 
the  duties  of  Principal  and  Professor  with  zeal  and  fide- 
lity. His  annual  revenue,  at  this  period,  amounted  to 
40  Scottish  marks,  about  L.2,  4s.  6d.  of  Sterling  money, 
— a  sum  which,  as  Dr  Johnson  observes,  was  then  pro- 
bably equal,  not  only  to  the  needs,  but  to  the  rank  of  the 
President  of  King's  College." 


"  ciirrente :  tam  mihi  gratum  fuit  earn  voluptatem  ex  tanto  intervallo 
"  mihi  tuis  Uteris  refricari."  At  the  close  of  the  letter,  Erasmus  expresses 
great  satisfaction  in  learning  that  Scotland  was  making  rapid  progress  in 
the  liberal  arts.  For  this  she  was  indebted,  in  no  inconsiderable  degree^, 
to  Hector  Boece. 

*  Muneribus  et  pollicitationibus.    Fitce  Episc.  Murth.  et  Aberd.  fol.  27. 

^  Tour  to  the  Hebrides. 


XX  BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

After  the  death  of  Bishop  Elphinston,  in  1514,  Boece 
undertook  a  work,  intended,  chiefly,  to  give  an  account 
of  the  life  and  character  of  that  excellent  Prelate,  and 
which  was  published  at  Paris  in  1522,  in  a  small  quarto 
volume,  now  of  great  rarity,  entitled,  Vitoe  Episcojyo- 
rum  jyiurthlacensium  et  Aherdonens'mm.  It  begins  with 
the  life  of  Bean  us,  the  first  Bishop  of  Aberdeen,  and 
ends  with  that  of  Gawin  Dunbar,  who  filled  the  See  at 
the  time  the  book  was  published.  Nearly  one-third  of  the 
whole,  however,  is  occupied  with  the  Memoirs  of  Boece's 
patron,  which  contain  an  interesting  account  of  his  early 
education,  and  of  his  gradual  advancement  to  the  high 
literary  and  political  situations  he  afterwards  filled. 

The  narrative  is  particularly  minute  regarding  the 
foundation  and  endowment  of  King's  College.  The  build- 
ing is  described  as  magnificent  in  ornament  and  extent. 
The  Church  attached  to  the  College  is  represented  as 
having  been  built  of  hewn  stone,  and  as  containing  suit- 
able accommodations  for  Priests  and  Students.  It  was 
richly  furnished  with  marble  altars,  graven  images,  pic- 
tures, statues,  tapestry,  garments  of  gold  and  purple,  can- 
delabras,  vases  of  curious  workmanship,  vessels  for  frank- 
incense and  holy  water,  coverings  for  the  altars  em- 
broidered with  gold,  and  a  chest  of  cypress-wood,  adorn- 
ed with  pearls  and  gems,  in  which  the  relics  of  the  saints 
were  deposited.  These  were  chiefly  the  gift  of  Bishop 
Elphinston.  A  few  of  the  ornaments  were  bestowed  by 
Arthur  Boece,  a  brother  of  our  historian,^  who  does  not 


^  Boetius  (Artliurus)  Hectoris  fi'ater  juris  canonici  Professor  in  acade- 
mia  Aljerdonensi.     Scripsit  Excerpta  ex  jure  Pontijicio,  lib.  1.  Claruit 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xxi 

himself  appear  to  have  been  wealthy  enough  to  make  do- 
nations to  the  Church  of  his  College ;  but  it  is  recorded, 
that  a  magnificent  altar,  with  suitable  ornaments,  was 
erected  by  his  executors.^ 

There  were  four  Professorships  in  King's  College ;  the 
first  of  Divinity,  to  which  all  the  others  were  subordi- 
nate,— the  second  of  Canon  Law, — the  third  of  Civil  Law, 
— and  the  fourth  of  Physic.  Ten  Bachelors  were  employ- 
ed in  attending  the  lectures  of  the  Professors,  and  in  ex- 
plaining them  to  the  younger  students.  Similar  duties 
were  performed  by  fourteen  students  of  philosophy ;  and 
there  was  also  a  Teacher  or  Professor,  whose  duty  it  was 
to  initiate  the  members  of  the  college  in  Grammar,  pre* 
vious  to  the  study  of  the  higher  and  more  important 
branches  of  education.  In  Boece's  time,  this  last  depart- 
ment was  filled  by  John  Vaux,  a  scholar  of  great  learning 
and  intense  application.' 

The  endowments  of  Bishop  Elphinston  were  not  con- 
fined to  his  own  College  and  Church.  He  adorned  the 
original  Cathedral  of  Aberdeen  with  rich  gifts,  and  com- 
pleted the  great  Tower,  which  Henry  Leighton,  a  for- 
mer Bishop,  had  left  unfinished.  He  also  commenced 
rebuilding  the  choir,  in  a  style  of  splendour  consistent 
with  the  other  parts  of  the  cathedral ;  but  this  work  was 


anno  mdxx.  Tanner's  Bib.  Brit.  Hih.  The  name  of  Arthur  Boyes,  the 
Laird  of  Balwery,  (probably  this  person,)  occurs  in  the  original  nomina- 
tion of  the  Lords  of  Session  in  1532  ;  but  it  does  not  appear  that  he  ever 
acted. — Acts  of  Par.  vol.  II.  SS6.  Hailes'  Catalogue  of  Lords  of  Session, 
p.  1. 

^  Orem's  I>is.  of  King's  College,  p.  l66. 

*  Vitce  Epis.  Murth.  et  Aber.  folio  29. 


xxii  BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

not  completed  at  his  death.  A  bridge  over  the  Dee  was 
planned  by  him ;  and  he  left  a  large  sum  for  the  purpose 
of  carrying  it  into  execution.  Nothing  can  be  more  de- 
lightful than  Boece's  account  of  the  old  age  of  the  Bishop.^ 
It  was  devoted  to  religion,  to  learning,  and  to  the  plea- 
sures of  society.  His  table,  which  was  splendid,  was  fre- 
quented by  the  noble  and  the  learned;  and,  although 
abstemious  himself,  his  love  of  music  and  of  gaiety  made 
him  a  very  agreeable  companion.  He  died,  after  havingfiUed 
the  See  of  Aberdeen  for  30  years,^  full  of  age  and  of  ho- 
nour. It  is  to  be  regretted  that  no  part  of  his  historical 
collections  has  yet  been  made  public.  They  are  preserved 
among  the  manuscripts  of  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax,  in  the 
Bodleian  Library. 

Boece,  as  already  mentioned,  concludes  his  Lives  of 
the  Bishops  with  a  short  notice  of  Gawin  Dunbar,  to 
whom  he  dedicated  the  book.  He  urges  upon  this  Pre- 
late the  propriety  of  following  out  the  plans  of  Elphin- 
ston,  for  finishing  King's  College,  and  for  erecting  a 
bridge  over  the  Dee.  Dunbar  adopted  these  suggestions, 
and  completed  much  of  what  his  predecessor  had  left 
unfinished.  It  has  been  said  that  Boece  prevented  him 
from  placing  his  name  and  armorial  bearings  upon  a  part 
of  King's  College,  of  which  he  had  commenced  the  build- 
ing. In  consequence  of  this,  the  Bishop,  in  a  fit  of  humour, 
directed  it  to  be  completed,  "  roughly,  without  good  work- 
"  man  ship  or  contrivance."  ^ 


^  Senectus  ei  jucunda  et  veneranda,  non  morosaj  non  auxia^  non  difficilis, 
non  tristis.     Viioe  Episc.  Miirth.  et  Aberd.  fol.  31. 
^   1450. 
^  Orem's  Dis.  of  King's  College,  p.  175. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xxiii 

During  his  long  residence  in  King's  College,  Boece  de- 
voted much  of  his  leisure  to  the  composition  of  a  General 
History  of  Scotland,  which  was  destined  to  estabUsh  his 
fame.  It  was  published  at  Paris,  in  1526,  in  a  folio  vo- 
lume, under  the  title  of  "  Scotorim  HistoricB,  a  prima 
''  gentis  origine,  cum  aliarum  et  rerum  et  gentium>  illustra- 
"  tione  non  vulgari:'  ^  This  edition  contains  seventeen 
Books.  A  second  was  printed  at  Lausanne,  and  publish- 
ed at  Paris  in  1574,  about  forty  years  after  the  death 
of  Boece.  In  this,  were  added  the  eighteenth,  and  part 
of  a  nineteenth  Book,  written  by  himself;  and  a  con- 
tinuation of  the  history  to  the  end  of  the  reign  of  James 
the  Third,  by  Ferrerius,  a  learned  Piedmontese,  w^ho 
came  to  Scotland,  in  1528,  in  the  train  of  Robert  Reid, 
Abbot  of  Kinloss,  and  afterwards  Bishop  of  Orkney. 

Soon  after  the  publication  of  his  History,  James  the 
Fifth  bestowed  upon  Boece  a  pension  of  L.50  Scots  year- 
ly ;  as  appears  from  the  following  notices  in  the  Record : 
"  1527,  July  14th,  Grant  to  Maister  Hector  of  a  pension 
"  of  L.50  Scots  yearly,  to  be  paid  him  by  the  sheriff  of 
"  Aberdeen  out  of  the  King's  casualties.'"  This  grant 
was  repeated,  two  years  afterwards,  with  a  variation  of  the 
source  of  payment :— "  1529,  July  26th,  Precept  for  a  let- 


1  The  printing  was  executed,  "  Jodoci  Badii  Ascensii  typis  et  opera, 
"  impensis  autem  nobilis  et  proedocti  viri  Hectoris  Boethii,  DeidoTiatii."  The 
title-page  contains  a  curious  engraving  of  the  Ascensian  Press,  Avithin  a 
border  of  fantastic  devices,  and  surmounted  by  a  medallion  figure  of  a  monk, 
crowned  with  laurel,  and  seated  at  a  writing-desk ;  which  Mr  Herbert 
supposes  to  be  a  portrait  of  the  author. — Typographical  Antiquities,  vol. 
III.  p.  1471. 

2  Privy  Seal,  Reg.  vi.  fol.  70. 


xxlv  BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

"  tre  to  Mr  Hector  Boys,  professor  of  theology,  of  a  pen- 
"  sion  of  L.50  Scots  yearly,  until  the  King  promote  him 
"  to  a  benefice  of  100  marks  Scots  of  yearly  value ;  the 
"  said  pension  to  be  paid  him  by  the  customers  of  Aber- 
"  deen."^  As  the  King's  customs  of  Aberdeen  were  pro- 
bably inadequate  to  answer  all  the  assignments  upon  them, 
Boece's  pension  was  afterwards,  in  1533  and  1534,  paid, 
the  one-half  by  the  King's  Comptroller,  and  the  other  half 
by  the  Treasurer.  There  was  paid  in  this  manner  one 
year's  pension,  from  Whitsunday  1532  to  Whitsunday 
1533 ;  and  another,  from  Whitsunday  1533  to  Whitsun- 
day 1534. 

As  the  payment  of  the  pension  does  not  appear  in  the 
Treasurer's  accounts  after  1534,  it  is  probable,  that,  about 
this  period,  the  King  carried  into  effect  his  intention,  inti- 
mated in  the  grant  of  1529,  of  giving  Boece  a  benefice  in 
lieu  of  it.  The  benefice  so  given,  was  the  Rectory  of 
Tyrie,  in  Buchan,  Aberdeenshire,  which  he  held  at  his 
death,  in  1536 ;  as  appears  from  the  record  of  the  presen- 
tation of  his  successor : — "  1536,  November  22d.  The  king 
"  presented  ]Vlr  John  Gardin  to  the  Rectory  of  Tiry,  in 
"  the  diocese  of  Aberdeen,  vacant  by  the  death  of  the  late 
"  Mr  Hector  Boiss."^ 

No  particulars  are  known  respecting  the  latter  years  of 
Boece ;  but  the  notice  just  quoted  from  the  Record,  shews 
that  he  died  in  1536,^  when  he  must  have  been  about 


^  Privy  Seal,  Reg.  viii.  75. 
2  Privy  Seal,  Reg.  x.  177- 

■■'  Tlie  authors  of  the  Biographia  Britannica  have  erroneously  supposed, 
that  Boece  died  only  a  short  time  previous  to  the  year  1550.     The  only 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION.         x  xv 

sevent)'-  years  of  age.     According  to  Gordon  of  Straloch, 
this  event  happened  at  Aberdeen. 

The  merits  of  Boece,  as  a  historian,  have  been  keenly 
disputed.  It  was  formerly  supposed,  that  the  severity 
of  his  treatment,  by  some  of  the  older  English  writers,^  ori- 
ginated in  passion  and  malice  ;  but  their  example  has  been 
followed  by  two  modern  critics  of  his  own  country.  Lord 
Hailes  and  Mr  Pinkerton.  In  speaking  of  our  historian, 
the  former  seems  to  lose  his  usual  caution  ;  and  Mr  Pinker- 
ton  inveighs  against  him  as  "  the  most  egregious  historical 
*'  impostor  that  ever  appeared  in  any  country  !"  He  would 
have  done  well  to  have  recollected  an  observation  of  his 
own,  when  attempting  to  justify  his  favourite  hero,  James 
the  Fifth,  for  sanctioning  the  judicial  murder  of  the  young 
and  lovely  Lady  Glamis  upon  a  charge  of  witchcraft, — 
"  that  it  is  no  crime  not  to  have  been  a  philosopher  before 
"  philosophy  revived." 


reasou  given  for  this  conjecture  is,  that,  in  that  year,  they  find  his  death 
lamented  by  Latonius  and  Wolfius,  two  learned  foreigners,  with  whom  he 
had  been  intimately  acquainted  at  the  university  of  Paris. 

^  Lluyd,  Lloyd,  and  Stillingfleet.  "  This  furious  regicide,"  says  the  late 
Mr  David  M'Pherson,  in  a  MS.  note  on  his  copy  of  the  Origines  Britan- 
nicoe,  "  in  his  hurry  to  demolish  the  fictitious  kings  of  the  Scots,  whom  no 
"  sensible  Scotsman  wishes  to  rescue  out  of  his  hands,  sacrifices  along  with 
"  them  all  the  real  and  well  authenticated  sovereigns  whose  names  he  does 
"  not  find  in  the  genealogy  of  the  direct  ancestors  of  Alexander  the  Third  ; 
"  so  that  all  the  branches  of  the  royal  family  which  failed  of  issue,  are,  by 
"  this  new  kind  of  argument,  proven  never  to  have  existed."  It  is  not  to 
be  supposed,  that,  with  such  views  as  these,  Stillingfleet  could  treat  Hector 
Boece  with  much  lenity  or  candour. 

VOL.  I.  d 


xxvi  BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

Lord  Hailes  sarcastically  remarks,  "  that,  although  re- 
"  formed  from  Popery,  we  are  not  reformed  from  Boece ;" 
and  it  is  perhaps  true,  that  the  charms  of  his  narrative  may 
have  given  currency  to  fables,  even  after  the  progress  of 
knowledge,  and  the  light  of  science,  had  exposed  their 
absurdity.  But  what  is  the  conclusion  to  be  drawn  from 
thence  ?  Certainly  not  that  he  is  unworthy  of  all  credit, 
but  merely  that,  in  estimating  the  credit  \vhich  is  due  to 
him,  it  is  necessary  to  make  an  allowance  for  those  parts 
of  his  works  that  can  be  traced  to  the  credulity  of  the  age 
in  which  he  lived,  and  of  which,  with  all  his  learning  and 
accomplishments,  it  must  be  admitted  that  he  largely  par- 
took. 

Anxious  to  support  the  claims  of  his  country  to  a  high 
degree  of  antiquity,  he  listened  readily  to  the  most  extra- 
vagant traditions,  provided  they  supported  his  favourite 
delusion,  and  enabled  him  to  add  another  name  to  the 
long  line  of  Scottish  monarchs.  Many  statements  were 
thus  hazarded  upon  authority  which  modern  discrimina- 
tion would  scornfully  reject.  The  dynasty  of  Scotland  was 
carried  far  beyond  the  birth  of  Christ ;  and  every  reign 
was  full  of  battles  never  fought,  and  of  events  which  never 
existed,  save  in  the  dreams  of  Monkish  tradition. 

Boece  prefixed  to  his  Chronicles  a  geographical  descrip- 
tion of  Scotland,  accompanied  by  a  short  account  of  the 
manners  of  the  ancient  inhabitants.  Here,  also,  we  dis- 
cover symptoms  of  great  credulity,  but  none  whatever  of 
a  disposition  to  deceive.  He  was  fond  of  Natural  His- 
tory, a  science  at  this  period  in  its  infancy.  The  accuracy 
which  experimental  investigation  has  now  acquired  was 
wholly  unknown,  and  many  of  the  great  arcana  of  nature, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xxvii 

which  have  since  been  explained,  were  the  subject  of  igno- 
rant astonishment  in  the  days  of  Boece.  Phenomena  which 
are  now  common  and  intelligible,  were  then  viewed  as 
marvellous,  and  surpassing  all  comprehension.  This  may 
explain  the  readiness  with  which  Boece,  in  common  with 
such  writers  as  Herodotus  and  Livy,  lent  a  willing  ear  to 
every  report  of  events  deviating  from  the  ordinary  course 
of  nature.  If  an  account  had  been  transmitted  to  him 
of  such  a  machine,  as  that  invented  by  Bramah,  ena- 
bling a  single  individual  to  root  out  a  forest-tree,  it  would 
have  been  as  difficult  for  him  to  believe  this  as  the  story 
told  by  Sir  Duncan  Campbell,  of  the  terrible  heist  of 
Loch  QsixXoW,  futit  lik  cine  ganar,  which  was  capable  of 
striking  down  the  largest  oak  with  the  dint  of  her  tail. 
His  account  of  the  sea  monks  at  the  isle  of  Bass,  and  of 
the  wild  men  of  Norway,  with  all  the  accumulation  of 
prodigies  which  are  scattered  throughout  his  History,  ad- 
mit of  a  similar  explanation.  We  may  smile  at  his  sim- 
plicity in  believing  them,  but  there  seems  no  reason  for 
imputing  to  him  the  character  of  a  contriver  of  fables. 

His  geographical  knowledge  appears  to  have  been  in- 
considerable;  and,  accordingly,  his  description  of  Scot- 
land is  inaccurate.  It  is  not  surprising  that  he  should 
give  an  erroneous  account  of  the  boundaries  of  the  Roman 
provinces ;  but  it  does  seem  remarkable,  that  he  should 
represent  the  Clyde  and  the  Forth  as  rising  among  the 
same  mountains. 

His  account  of  ancient  manners  is  curious  and  interest- 
ing ;  tinged  though  it  be  with  the  fables  of  a  golden  age. 
Many  amiable  traits  of  character  are  attributed  to  the 
ancient  inhabitants  of  Scotland.     Every  mother  nursed 


xxviii  BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

her  own  child  ;  and  an  inabiUty  to  discharge  this  ma- 
ternal duty  afforded  a  presumption  of  infidelity.  The 
soldier  who  was  found  in  battle  with  an  unbelted  sword, 
was  scourged  ;  and  the  w^arrior  who  sold  his  armour, 
or  laid  it  to  iced,  w^as  degraded.  Victory  w^as  never 
sought  by  treason  or  falsehood ;  and  the  highest  impu- 
tation against  the  character  of  a  chief,  was  to  conquer 
in  any  "way  but  by  force  of  f editing.  The  number  of 
stones  with  -vvhich  the  sepulchre  of  a  w^arrior  was  adorn- 
ed, depended  upon  the  number  of  enemies  he  had  slain.  In 
peace,  justice  Avas  strictly  administered,  and  so  great  a 
degree  of  liberality  regulated  the  mercantile  transactions 
of  the  ancient  Scots,  that  a  purchaser  was  not  bound  to 
adhere  to  his  bargain  unless  the  seller  gave  him  something 
above  just  measure. 

It  is  generally  admitted,  that,  at  a  remote  period,  the 
Monastery  of  lona  not  only  contained  a  valuable  li- 
brary ,i  but  was  the  general  repository  of  the  Scottish 
records.'  Indeed,  one  of  the  least  enthusiastic  of  modern 
writers,  has  indulged  the  pleasing  reflection,  that,  from 
this  distant  island,  the  barbarians  of  the  west,  in  ancient 
times,  "  derived  the  benefits  of  knowledge,  and  the  bles?- 
"  ings  of  religion."  The  ultimate  fate  of  the  literary  trea- 
sures of  Icolmkill  is  unknown,  nor  is  it  now  possible  to 
ascertain  of  what  they  consisted.  Our  regret  for  their  loss 
would  be  aggravated  in  no  ordinary  degree,  could  we 
believe  that  a  manuscript  of  Livy  or  of  Sallust  existed 
amon.o;  them. 


^  Jamieson's  Ciddees. 

'  Pennant's  Tour  in  Scotland^  vol.  II.  p.  296. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xxix 

An  attempt  has  been  made  to  convict  Boece  of  de- 
liberate mistatement,  by  contrasting  his  account  of  the 
removal  of  the  public  Records  and  Manuscripts  from 
Icolmkill  to  the  Priory  of  Restennet,  in  Angus,  by  Al- 
exander the  First,  with  the  allegation  in  a  different  part 
of  his  work,  that  at  a  later  period  a  variety  of  Historical 
Writings  were  transmitted  to  him  from  lona.  But  sup- 
posing it  to  be  true,  that  the  Monastery  of  Saint  Colum- 
ba  was  pillaged  by  Alexander,  it  is  not  improbable  that 
a  portion  of  the  manuscripts  may  have  been  concealed  and 
retained  by  the  JNIonks  ;  and  that  Boece  may  have  been 
enabled  to  avail  himself  of  these  remains  in  compiling 
his  History. 

The  circumstances  connected  with  the  alleged  transmis- 
sion of  the  Manuscripts  to  Aberdeen,  strongly  confirm  the 
accuracy  of  his  statements.  A  tone  of  great  sincerity  distin- 
guishes his  narrative.  He  claims  no  merit  for  his  investi- 
gations, into  which  indeed  he  was  led,  from  a  desire  to  follow 
out  an  inquiry  commenced  by  a  Legate  of  the  Pope,  a  cen- 
tury before.  The  tradition  of  the  time  was,  that  Fergus  the 
Second,  in  assisting  Alaric  the  Goth,  in  sacking  Rome, 
brought  away  a  chest  of  books  which  he  presented  to  the 
Monastery  at  lona.  In  consequence  of  a  belief  in  the 
truth  of  this  story,  ^Eneas  Silvius^  intended,  when  he  was 
in  Scotland,  to  have  visited  Icolmkill  in  search  of  the  lost 
books  of  Livy,  but  was  prevented  by  the  death  of  James 
the  First.  His  scheme  was  resumed  by  Boece,  who 
makes  no  mystery  as  to  the  mode  in  which  he  procured 
access  to  the  Manuscripts.     This  was  effected  by  the  in- 


1  Pius  II. 


XXX  BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

terposition  of  the  Earl  of  Argyle,  and  his  brother,  the 
King's  Treasurer.  Boece's  History  was  published  while 
these  persons  were  alive  ;  and  if  he  referred  to  unknown 
or  imaginary  authorities,  he  did  so  before  living  witnesses, 
by  whom  his  statements  might  have  been  contradicted 
and  refuted. 

But  the  heaviest  charge  against  the  veracity  of  Boece, 
arises  from  his  reference  to  the  writings  of  Veremundus, 
an  author  whose  works  are  unnoticed  by  the  other  ancient 
Chroniclers  of  Scotland.  Bale,  Chambres  of  Ormond, 
Paulus  Jovius,  Buchanan,  and  Sir  Richard  Baker,  are 
supposed  to  quote  Veremundus  upon  the  authority  of 
Boece  alone,  who  is  thus  made  answerable  for  all  the  fa- 
bles which  have  found  their  way  into  the  early  history  ot 
Scotland.  Now,  had  it  been  his  deliberate  intention  to 
forge  an  authority,  his  natural  sagacity  would  have  pre- 
vented him  from  adopting  the  name  of  an  obscure  Spa- 
niard, which  could  carry  no  weight  with  it,  and  could  not 
therefore  answer  the  purpose  which  he  must  have  had  in 
view.  Again,  he  states  that  he  received  the  JNIanuscripts 
from  Zona  only  in  1525,  the  year  before  his  History  was 
published  ;  and  hence  it  has  been  said  that  his  narrative 
carries  its  own  refutation  with  it,  because  he  could  not 
possibly,  during  this  short  interval,  have  made  the  use 
which  he  pretends  of  the  Chronicle  of  Veremundus.  This 
is  no  doubt  a  difficulty,  but  its  existence  is  much  in  fa- 
vour of  our  author's  honesty,  who  must  be  acknowledged 
to  have  had  a  better  invention  than  to  have  forged  so  im- 
probable a  falsity,  especially  in  a  matter  where  he  was 


^  Mackenzie's  Anti(i.  of  Royal  Line,  chap.  III. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xxxi 

liable  to  be  contradicted  by  Argyle,  the  Treasurer,  the 
whole  Monks  of  lona,  and  his  cotemporaries  in  the  Uni- 
versity of  Aberdeen.  In  short,  had  the  account  which  he 
gives  of  the  Manuscripts  been  fabulous,  it  is  plain  that  it 
would  have  been  more  skilfully  devised,  and  free  from 
those  objections  of  improbability  which  have  been  urged 
against  it,  and  which  are  only  to  be  explained  upon  the 
supposition  that  the  narrative  is  true. 

It  has  been  inferred  that  his  account  of  Veremundus  is 
false,  because  this  writer  is  not  quoted  by  Fordun.  But 
this  is  really  a  very  lame  conclusion.  Fordun  is  not 
referred  to  by  Boece,^  and  his  Chronicle  remained  in 
manuscript  for  about  two  centuries  after  the  publication 
of  the  History  of  the  latter.  The  silence  of  Boece,  how- 
ever, would  have  been  a  very  singular  reason  for  pre- 
suming against  the  existence  of  Fordun,  yet  it  might  have 
been  relied  on  as  leading  to  this  conclusion,  with  quite  as 
much  safety  as  we  can  depend  upon  the  silence  of  the  lat- 
ter in  evidence  of  the  inaccuracy  of  Boece's  statements 
respecting  Veremundus.  Fordun  quotes  authors  whose 
writings  are  no  longer  extant,  yet  credit  is  attached  to 
them,  and  there  is  no  reason  why  the  positive  assertions 
of  Boece  should  not  carry  the  same  weight.  It  has  been 
suggested  by  a  respectable  writer,  that  Fordun  does  refer  to 
Veremundus,  although  under  a  different  name.^  The  true 
explanation  of  the  matter  seems  to  be  this  :  Boece  sup- 
pressed the  name  of  Fordun  in  order  that  he  might  ac- 


1  The  various  references  to  the  Scotichronicon  in  the  Croniklis  are  in^ 
troduced  by  Bellenden. 

2  Nichol.  His.  Lib.  p.  26. 


xxxii  BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

quire  the  credit  of  being  the  earliest  general  historian  of 
Scotland ;  and  for  the  same  reason,  Fordun  did  not  direct- 
ly avow  the  extent  to  which  he  transcribed  the  writings 
of  the  earlier  Chroniclers.' 

The  ingenious  author  of  the  Historical  Account  of  the 
Ancieiit  Culclees,  hazards  a  supposition  not  much  to  the 
credit  of  Boece,  that  he  may  have  "  destroyed  the  manu- 
"  scripts  which  he  had  used,  that  his  own  history  might 
"  be  in  greater  request.""  This  notion  derives  some  sup- 
port from  a  passage  which  occurs  in  the  writings  of  Gor- 
don of  Straloch.^  The  theory,  however,  is  not  very  proba- 
ble in  itself,  and  the  motive  assigned  is  scarcely  sufficient 
to  account  for  such  an  act  of  treason  against  the  inte- 
rests of  literature,  on  the  part  of  the  good  and  the  grave 
Boece. 

It  is  not  at  all  surprising,  that,  in  transcribing  from 
the  Ionian  Manuscripts,  he  should  have  exercised  little 
of  the  discrimination  necessary  for  separating  truth  from 
falsehood.  His  anxiety  to  illustrate  the  high  antiquity, 
and  to  perpetuate  the  fame  of  his  country,  made  him  a 
ready  listener  to  tales  which  a  writer  of  a  less  sanguine 
temperament  would  have  rejected.  But  it  does  appear 
a  harsh  inference,  that  these  must  have  originated  en- 


^  Antiq.  of  the  Royal  Line,  chap.  III. 

2  P.  305. 

^  Audivi  adolescens  Abredoniae  ubi  Boethius  Academiae  preftiit^  et  fato 
functus  est,  ilium  exemplaria  eorum  authorum  manuscripta  delevisse  ad 
conciliaudum  Historise  suae  gratiam  ut  nostrae  antiquitates  solum  inde 
haurientur,  Misellus  homo  !  Quantum  acceperit  gratiae  in  dubio  est — Ni- 
chol.  Hist.  Lib.  p.  27- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION.         xxxiii 

tirely  in  his  own  imagination,  or  to  conclude,  with  Mr 
Pinkerton,  that  he  filled  up  every  interval  of  authentic 
detail,  with  an  expedition  from  the  isles,  headed  by  a 
Donald,  the  "  constant  ghost  of  his  pages." 

Every  person  who  has  looked  with  any  degree  of  at- 
tention into  Boece's  History,  must  be  satisfied  that  the 
narrative  is  conducted  with  simplicity,  although  the  state- 
ments are  enforced  with  zeal.  They  obviously  come  from 
an  author  who  appears  to  be  not  only  deeply  impressed 
himself  with  the  truth  of  what  he  writes,  but  anxious  to 
convey  the  same  impression  to  his  readers.  There  is  no 
apparent  exertion  of  skill  in  devising  incidents.  Every 
circumstance  is  related  as  it  appears  to  have  been  report- 
ed to  the  writer.  Many  of  his  statements,  too,  are  made 
with  the  hesitation  of  a  man  anxious  to  be  accurate. 
Quis  rem  tarn  vetustam  pro  certo  affirmet,  is  an  expression 
we  frequently  meet  with  in  the  course  of  his  History. 

These  views  are  strongly  supported  by  the  favourable 
opinion  entertained  of  his  moral  character  by  his  contem- 
poraries. We  have  already  seen  that  he  was  the  intimate 
friend  of  Erasmus,  who  had  ample  opportunities  of  ob- 
serving his  personal  character.  They  studied  long  toge- 
ther at  Paris,  and  in  after-life  maintained  a  regular  cor- 
respondence. Such,  indeed,  Avas  the  opinion  w^hich  this 
eminent  man  entertained  of  the  integrity  of  our  historian, 
that  he  says  of  him,  he  "  knew  not  what  it  was  to  make 
"  a  lie."  ^  His  continuator  Ferrerius,  Buchanan,  and  Arch- 


^  General  Dictionary,  vol.  III.  p.  435.  Mackenzie's  Defence  of  Royal 
Line. — In  the  letter  formerly  referred  to,  Erasmus,  in  addressing  Boece, 
takes  occasion  to  remark,  Quod  a  tuts  moribus  semper  fuit  alienissimum 
vientiri. 

VOL.  I.  e 


xxxiv         BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

bishop  Spottiswood,  speak  of  him  in  similar  terms ;  yet 
the  wicked  wit  of  an  English  antiquary  has  likened  the 
multitude  of  his  falsehoods  to  the  waves  of  the  sea,  and 
the  stars  of  heaven  !  i 

His  intellectual  attainments  were  of  a  high  character. 
He  has  been  represented  as  skilled  in  classical  and  polite 
literature,  divinity,  and  philosophy  ;^  and  Erasmus  invari- 
ably speaks  of  him  as  a  man  of  an  extraordinary  and  hap- 
py genius,  and  great  eloquence.^  He  drank  deeply  from 
the  well-sp7'ings  of  ancient  learning,  and  thus  acquired 
a  style,  which  has  been  said,  a  little  perhaps  in  the  strain 
of  panegyric,  to  combine  the  elegance  of  Livy  with 
the  conciseness  and  simplicity  of  Caesar .^  His  merit  as  a 
restorer  of  classical  literature,  has  been  universally  admit- 
ted ;  and,  from  this  source,  he  imbibed  a  large  portion  of 
that  fine  spirit  of  independence,  which  constitutes  the 
great  charm  of  the  Greek  and  Roman  writers. 

Respecting  the  opinions  of  Boece  upon  matters  of  go- 
vernment, the  Bishop  of  Carlisle  remarks,  "  That  his 
"  principles  of  polity  are  no  better  than  those  of  Bucha- 
"  nan."  That  Buchanan  should  be  no  favourite  with 
this  Prelate,  is  not  w^onderful,  considering  the  freedom 


^  Hectoris  historic!  tot  quod  mendacia  qxiaeris 

Si  vis  ut  numerem  (lector  amici)  tibi ; 

Idem  me  jubeas  fluctus  numerare  marinos 

Et  liquidi  Stellas  denumerare  poli. 

Lluyd. 

2  Non  solum  artium  libefalium  cognitione^  supra  quam  ilia  ferebant 
tempora  insignem ;  sed  humanitate  et  comitate  singulari  praeditum. — 
Buchan.  Lib.  II. 

3  Vir  singularis  iugenii,  faelicitatis,  et  facundi  oris. 
^  Lesley,  Lib.  IX. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xxxv 

with  which  he  treats  of  Kings  and  of  JMonarchy.  On 
these  topics,  however,  the  older  historian  writes  with 
more  caution  than  his  successor ;  and  it  is  surely  much 
to  his  honour,  that  his  History,  written  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  l6th  century,  and  addressed  to  the  reigning 
Prince,  contains  not  one  slavish  thought,  nor  the  slight- 
est trace  of  a  servile  spirit.  He  neither  disguises  the 
vices  nor  palliates  the  profligacy  of  former  Monarchs ;  but 
paints  them  in  their  most  odious  colours,  as  objects  of 
avoidance  to  succeeding  Princes.  Indeed,  he  dwells  with 
perhaps  too  much  satisfaction  upon  the  detail  of  royal 
crimes,  and  the  punishments  which  generally  followed 
them,  during  the  earlier  periods  of  the  Scottish  dynasty. 
In  forming  a  final  estimate  of  the  literary  character  of 
Boece,  we  must  bear  in  mind,  that  when  scholar-craft,  in 
this  country  at  least,  was  rare,  he  was  a  scholar,  and  con- 
tributed, by  reviving  ancient  learning,  to  dispel  the  gloom 
of  the  middle  ages ; — and  that,  while  the  history  of  his 
country  existed  only  in  the  rude  page  of  the  Chroniclers 
who  preceded  him,  or  in  the  fading  records  of  oral  tradi- 
tion, he  embodied  it  in  narrative  so  interesting,  and  lan- 
guage so  beautiful,  as  to  be  worthy  of  a  more  refined 
age. 


xxxvi         BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


John  Bellenden.^ 


The  accounts  given  of  this  accomplished  Scholar  are 
very  imperfect,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  materials  now  exist, 
from  which  it  is  possible  to  extract  any  satisfactory  his- 
tory of  his  life. 

It  has  been  generally  supposed  that  he  was  a  man  of 
honourable  descent,  and  in  some  way  connected  with  the 
ancient  family  of  Achinoul.  The  authors  of  the  Bio- 
gi-aphia  Britannica,  upon  the  authority  of  Mackenzie, 
dignify  him  with  the  title  oi  Sir  John;  and  add,  that  his 
father,  Mr  Thomas  Bellenden  of  Achinoul,  was  Director 
to  the  Chancery  in  1540,  and  Clerk  Register  in  1541.- 
There  is  no  sufficient  authority,  however,  for  this  account 
of  his  genealogy.  He  appears  to  have  been  born  in  the 
Lothians,  towards  the  close  of  the  15th  century .^  His 
education  was  unquestionably  liberal ;  and  in  1508,  we 
find  his  name  entered,  as  follows,  in  the  Records  of  the 
University  of  Saint  Andrews  :  "  1508.  Jo.  Balletijn  nac 
"  Lau{clonice.)"  It  is  probable  that  he  remained  there 
for  several  years,  which  was  necessary  before  he  could 
be  laureated.     His  education  was  afterwards  completed 


^  This  author's  name  has  been  variously  written,  Ballantyne,  Ballentyne, 
Ballendync,  Ballendene,  and  Bellenden.  In  the  Auchinleck  MS.  the 
translator  is  styled,  "  Maister  John  BallentjTie,  Channon  of  Ross."  At 
the  end  of  the  same  MS.  the  name  is  spelled  "  Ballantyne." 

2  Vol.  I.  p.  460. 

^  ■Rale  says  of  him,  "  Ex  orientali  Scotia  oriundus." 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xxxvii 

at  the  University  of  Paris,  where  he  took  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Divinity  ;  and  the  effects  of  his  residence  upon 
the  Continent  may  be  traced  both  in  his  idiom  and  lan- 
guage. 

He  returned  to  Scotland  during  the  minority  of  James 
the  Fifth ;  and  his  writings  contain  internal  evidence  of 
his  having  been  early  introduced  to  the  notice  of  that 
Monarch.  Sir  David  Lindsay  had  been  his  fellow-stu- 
dent at  Saint  Andrews,  and  he  seems  to  have  been  asso- 
ciated with  this  eminent  person  in  directing  the  educa- 
tion of  his  Prince.  He  addresses  James  as  "  your  humyl 
"  servitor  sen  your  first  infance ;"  and  his  remarkable  Let- 
ter, recommending  to  the  attention  of  the  King  his  trans- 
lation of  Boece,  is  written  very  much  in  the  tone  of  a 
zealous  preceptor.  It  explains  the  kingly  duties  with  a 
freedom  which  no  other  character  could  have  warranted 
the  writer  in  using.^ 

There  is  some  reason  to  suppose,  that,  about  the  year 
1528,Bellenden  held  the  situation  of  Secretary  to  the  Earl 
of  Angus,  The  circumstances  under  which  James  the 
Fifth  was  detained  at  Falkland  by  that  nobleman,  with 
the  subsequent  escape  of  the  Monarch,  are  well  known. 
Angus  lost  no  time  in  pursuing  the  fugitive,  but  he  was 
met  upon  his  route  to  Stirling  by  a  Herald  with  a  royal 
proclamation,  declaring  that  no  member  of  the  family  of 
Douglas  should,  on  pain  of  treason,  approach  within  six 
miles  of  the  Court.  This  order  was  obeyed  by  the  Earl, 
and  from  that  hour  may  be  dated  the  fall  of  his  princely 
house.  He  retired  to  Tantallon,  and  was  soon  afterwards, 
along  with  his  principal  adherents,  attainted  in  Parlia- 
ment. 


1  Croniklis,  rol.  II.  p.  515,  51 6. 


xxxviii  BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

The  Rolls  exhibit  the  following  entry  relative  to  this 
subject. 

"  Quarto,  Sepfemher  1528. 

"  In  presence  of  the  Kingis  grace,  and  Lordes,  and  the 
"  estatis  of  Parliament,  comperit  Maisfer  Joknne  Ballen- 
"  tyne,  servitour  and  secretar  to  Archibald  Erie  of  An- 
"  gus.  And  gaif  in  the  resonis  underwritten.  And  pro- 
"  testit  efter  the  forme  and  tenour  of  the  samin,  off  the 
"  quhilk  the  tenour  follows. — Thir  are  the  reasonis  that 
"  we,  Archibald  Earle  of  Angus,  George  Douglas  his 
'*  brother,  and  Archibald  Douglas  of  Kilspindy,  allegis  for 
"  us,  quhy  we  suld  not  be  accusit  nor  compellit  to  an- 
"  swer  at  this  time  to  the  summondis  of  treasone  made 
"  on  us,  at  our  Soverane  Lordis  instance." 

There  is  a  subsequent  entry  on  the  same  day,  from 
which  it  appears  that  "  Maister  Jolinne  Bcdienfijne,  Se- 
"  cretar  to  the  Erie  of  Angus,  comperit,"  and  gave  secu- 
rity, that  the  Earl  should  appear  and  underly  the  sentence 
of  the  Parliament. 

It  would  not,  however,  have  suited  the  purposes  of 
James,  to  trust  the  fate  of  Douglas  to  the  Great  Council 
of  the  nation.  A  jury  of  his  sworn  foes  was  according- 
ly selected,  to  which  the  decision  of  the  question  was 
committed.  Forfeiture  followed  as  a  matter  of  course, 
and  the  hroad  lands  of  the  Douglas  were  gifted  to  those 
by  whom  he  had  been  condemned,  as  the  reward  of  their 
guilty  subservience  to  the  wishes  of  their  Sovereign. 

Bellenden,  in  all  likelihood,  shared  at  first  in  the  dis- 
grace of  the  family  of  Douglas  ;  and  this  was  probably 
the  dismissal  to  which  he  alludes  in  "  the  Proheme  of  the 
Cosmographer  His  poetical  talents,  however,  seem  speed- 
ily to  have  restored  him  to  royal  favour,  and  in  1530,  he 
is  thus  celebrated  as  a  Court  poet  by  Sir  David  Lindsay, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION.         xxxix 

in  his  Preface  to  the  Testament,  and  the  Complaint  of 
King  James's  Papingo : — 

But  now  of  late  has  start  up  heastily, 
A  cunning  clerk,  which  writeth  craftily ; 
A  plant  of  poets,  called  Ballanten, 
Whose  ornat  wi'its  my  wit  cannot  defyne ; 
Get  he  into  the  Court  authority. 
He  Avill  precel  Quiutin  and  Kenedy.* 

In  1530  and  1531,  Bellenden  was  employed,  by  the 
command  of  the  King,  in  translating  Boece's  History ; 
and  he  delivered  a  manuscript  copy  of  his  work  to  his 
royal  employer,  in  the  summer  of  1533.  About  the 
same  period,  he  translated  a  portion  of  Livy.  These 
dates  are  ascertained  from  the  following  notices  in  the 
Treasurer's  accounts.  In  the  end  of  1530,  or  beginning  of 
1531,  there  is  a  payment — 

"  To  Maister  John  Ballentyne,  be  the  Kingis  precept, 

for  his  translating  of  the  Cronykill,  £30." 
"  1531.  Oct.  4.— To  Maister  John  Ballentyne,  be  the 

Kingis  precept,  for  his  translating  of  the  Croniclis, 

£30." 
"  Item  thaireftir  to  the  said  Maister  Johne,  be  the 

Kingis  command,  £6." 
«  1533.  Jtdy  26.— To  INIeister  Johne  Ballantyne,  for 

ane  new  Cronikle  gevin  to  the  Kingis  Grace,  £l2." 
"  Item  to  him  in  part  payment  of  the  translation  of 

Titus  Livius,  £8." 
" Aug.  24). — To  IMaister  John  Ballentyne,  in  part 

payment  of  the  second  buke  of  Titus  Livius,  £8." 
" Nov.  30.— To  Maister  John  Ballentyne,  be  the 

Kingis  precept,  for  his  lauboris  done  in  translating 

of  Livie,  £20." 

'  Lindsay's  Works,  1806.    Vol.  I.  287- 


xl  BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

The  literary  labours  of  Belleiiden  were  still  farther  re- 
warded by  his  royal  master.  The  Archdeanery  of  Mo- 
ray having  become  vacant,  while  the  See  of  INIoray  was 
also  vacant,  the  patronage  devolved  upon  the  King.  Sir 
John  Duncan,  parson  of  Glasgow,  Alexander  Harvey,  a 
churchman,  and  Sir  Patrick  INIuir,  chaplain,  having  en- 
deavoured to  purchase  from  the  Pope  the  appointment  of 
Mr  James  Douglas  to  the  Archdeanery,  they  were  put 
under  prosecution  for  this  misdemeanour,  about  August 
1536.  In  the  subsequent  year,  Duncan  and  Harvey  were 
found  guilty,  and  denounced  rebels  ;  upon  which,  the  fol- 
lowing: grant  of  the  Escheat  of  their  benefices  for  1536, 
was  given  to  Bellenden. 

1537.  Sept.  9. — "  Grant  to  Maister  Johne  Bellendene 
"  of  all  the  fruits  of  the  parsonage  and  chantory  of  Glas- 
"  gow,  and  other  pensions  and  benifices,  pertaining  to  Sir 
"  John  Duncan  parson  of  Glasgow,  for  the  year  last  past, 
"  and  of  all  other  property  which  pertained  to  the  said  Sir 
"  John,  and  to  Alexander  Harvey,  with  the  fruits  of  the 
"  said  Alexander's  benefices  and  pensions  for  the  said  year, 
''  all  escheat  to  the  King,  by  their  being  denounced  rebels 
"  on  a  decree  of  the  Lords  of  Council,  for  having  broken 
*'  the  Acts  of  Parliament,  in  purchasing  and  pleying  of 
"  the  Archdenery  of  ^Murray,  in  the  Court  of  Rome,  in 
"  prejudice  of  the  King's  privilege  and  patronage  of  the 
*'  said  Archdenery,  the  See  of  Murray  being  vacant."  ^ 
Bellenden  paid  for  this  grant  a  composition  of  350 
merks. 


1  Privy  Seal  Register,  XI.  31. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xli 

He  got  a  similar  grant  of  the  Escheat  of  the  benefices 
and  pensions  of  these  two  persons  for  the  year  1537, 
and  of  all  their  other  property,  forfeited  to  the  King. 
This  second  grant  is  dated  the  8th  of  April,  1538 ;  and 
Bellenden  paid  a  composition  of  £300  Scots  for  it.^  He 
was  afterwards  presented  by  the  King  to  the  vacant 
Archdeanery  of  Moray,  and  he  also  got  a  Prebend  in  the 
Cathedral  of  Ross ;  but  the  date  of  these  appointments  is 
uncertain. 

Mackenzie,  in  his  Life  of  John  Leslie,  Bishop  of  Ross,' 
has  given  a  very  indistinct  and  erroneous  account  of  Bel- 
lenden, in  which  he  is  followed  by  Goodall.^  These  wri- 
ters confoundthetranslatorof  theChronicles,with  Sir  John 
Bellenden  of  Achinoul,  who  was  Justice  Clerk  in  the  reign 
of  Queen  Mary.  Mackenzie  states  that  our  author  was 
nominated  a  Senator  of  the  College  of  Justice  in  1554,  by 
the  title  of  Lord  Achinoul.  Lord  Hailes  justly  remarks, 
that,  laying  aside  the  similitude  of  names,  the  only  reason 
for  identifying  Lord  Achinoul  with  the  translator  of 
Boece,  arises  from  the  following  lines  in  the  "  Proheme 
of  the  Cosmography ;" 

And  fyTst  occurit  to  my  remembering. 
How  tliat  I  wes  in  service  with  the  King, 
Put  to  his  Grace  in  yeris  tenderest. 
Clerk  of  his  Compiis. 

"  Dr  Mackenzie,"  continues  Lord  Hailes,  "  gravely 


1  Vol.  XI.  69. 

2  Vol.  11.  p.  595-600. 

^  Scotstar vet's  Staggering  State,  p.  130. 
VOL.  I.  f 


xlii  BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

says  that  Clerh  of  the  Comptis,  is  Clerk  Register r^  Indeed 
the  whole  of  Mackenzie's  account  of  Bellenden  must  be 
received  with  distrust.  It  is  at  variance  with  that  of 
Dempster,  and  other  writers,  who  state  the  period  of  his 
death  to  have  been  four  years  before  the  date  of  Lord 
Achinoul's  appointment. 

Bellenden  appears  to  have  enjoyed  the  royal  favour 
for  a  longer  period  than  generally  falls  to  the  lot  of  those 
who  devote  themselves  to  the  service  of  Princes.  But 
he  at  length,  excited,  and  suffered  from  the  envy  of  his 
competitors.  Subsequent  to  his  disgrace  at  Court,  he 
became,  in  conjunction  with  Dr  Laing,  an  active  oppo- 
nent of  the  Reformation,  and  so  deeply  involved  in  the 
disputes  to  which  it  led,  that  he  resolved  to  retire  to  a 
country,  where  his  opinions  were  likely  to  be  more  gene- 
rally popular  than  they  were,  at  this  period,  in  his  native 
land.  The  ardent  spirits  with  whom  the  Reformation 
in  Scotland  originated,  v/ere  unwearied  in  their  exertions ; 
and  the  conflict  which  their  opponents  had  to  sustain, 
was  fierce  and  relentless.  To  escape  from  these  troubles, 
"  Bellenden  went  to  Rome,  where  he  died  in  1550.  Both 
Bale  and  Dempster  attest  this  fact, — the  latter,  how- 
ever, who  misnames  him  James,  with  some  liesitation  : 
Ohiit  Homes,  anno  iit  puto,  1550.^ 

The  writings  of  Bellenden  justify  our  regret  that  so 
little  is  known  of  their  author.     That  he  was  a  man  of 


*  Catalogue  of  Lords  <yf  Session.    Note  l6th. 

'  Coneus,  Be  Duplici  Statu  Religiotiis  apud  Scotos,  p.  l6. 

^  P.  107. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xliii 

genius,  and  great  acquirements,  is  indubitable.  Demp- 
ster celebrates  him  as  skilled  in  every  department  of 
divine  and  human  learning.  "  Laboriosa  cura,  et  incre- 
"  dibili  studio  artes  omnes,  humanas  atque  etiam  divinas 
"  percepit."  The  commendation  of  the  Bishop  of  Ossory 
is  equally  ample  ;  and  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  he  was 
held  in  respect  amongst  his  contemporaries,  as  a  Poet,  a 
Historian,  and  a  Scholar.  The  first  of  these  characters  re- 
commended him,  as  we  have  seen,  to  James  the  Fifth,  and 
secured  his  advancement  to  situations  of  honour  and  emo- 
lument. His  poetry  abounds  in  lively  sallies  of  imagi- 
nation, and  discloses  the  workings  of  a  rich  and  exuberant 
fancy.  According  to  his  early  Biographers,^  he  wrote 
many  poetical  pieces,  consisting  of  Visions  and  Miscel- 
lanies, which  are  now  lost.  Those  which  have  reached 
us,  are  principally  Proems  prefixed  to  his  prose  works. 
They  are  generally  allegorical,  and  distinguished  rather 
by  incidental  beauties,  than  by  the  skilful  structure  of 
the  fable.  The  story,  indeed,  is  often  dull,  the  allusions 
obscure,  and  the  general  scope  of  the  piece  unintelligible. 
These  faults,  however,  are  pretty  general  characteristics 
of  allegorical  poets ;  and  they  are  atoned  for,  in  him,  by 
the  striking  thoughts,  and  charming  descriptions  in  which 
he  abounds ;  and  which,  "  like  the  threds  of  gold,  the 
rich  Arras,  beautify  his  works  quite  thorow." 

The  most  considerable  of  his  Poems  is  the  Proheme  of 
the  Cosmographe,  which  the  reader  will  find  reprinted  in 
the  present  Work.     The  principal  incidents  of  this  piece 


^  Bale  and  Dempster. 


3div  BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

are  borrowed  from  the  classical  allegory  of  the  CJioice  of 
Hercules.  Its  original  title  was  Vertue  and  Vijce,  and 
it  was  addressed  to  James  the  Fifth.  The  Poet  feio;ns, 
that  worn  out  with  the  fatigue  of  study,  he  retired  to  a 
flowery  meadow,  to  meditate  upon  the  vanity  of  human 
pursuits,  and  upon  the  vicissitudes  of  his  own  fortune. 
His  first  disgrace  at  Court,  which,  as  we  have  seen,  was 
probably  consequent  upon  the  fall  of  the  family  of  Dou- 
glas, is  attributed  to  the  baleful  and  malicious  influence 
of  the  stars.  Wearied,  at  length,  with  his  melancholy 
musings,  he  sinks  into  a  profound  slumber,  during  which, 
the  vision  of  a  young  and  glorious  ^Monarch,  seated 
upon  a  throne,  rises  to  his  fancy.  Two  Goddesses  ap- 
pear, sparkling  with  beauty  and  rubies,  and  contend- 
ing for  the  favour  of  the  Prince, — the  name  of  the  one 
Delight,  and  of  the  other  Virtue.  After  exhibiting 
opposite  views  of  the  sources  of  human  happiness,  and 
while  they  are  waiting  the  decision  of  the  ^lonarcb, 
the  Poet  awakes,  afraid  to  violate  truth,  by  disclosing 
the  royal  selection.  The  CJioice  of  Hercules  is  not  close- 
ly followed,  and  the  merit  of  the  poem,  as  we  have  it, 
may  be  almost  entirely  attributed  to  Bellenden.  It 
must  have  been  written  between  1528  and  1530,  when 
James  the  Fifth  was  in  his  nineteenth  year.  The  piece 
is,  throughout,  full  of  fancy  and  poetry,  and  the  meta- 
phors are  generally  drawn  from  the  most  agreeable  ob- 
jects in  nature.  The  transitory  character  of  human  hap- 
piness is  illustrated,  by  comparing  it  to  the  early  decay 
of  the  rose,  the  lily,  and  the  violet ;  and  the  utter  no- 
thingness of  an  inactive  life  is  likened  to  the  trackless 
path  of  a  vessel,  which  leaves  no  print  upon  the  waves  ;  or 
of  a  bird,  whose  busy  wing  pierces  the  air,  leaving  no 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xlv 

trace  of  its  course.  The  effect  of  virtue  upon  the  mind 
of  man,  is  compared  to  the  healing  influence  of  precious 
balm  upon  disease, — to  the  breath  of  flowers, — and  to  the 
departure  of  darkness  before  the  resplendent  beams  of 
morn. 

The  Prolieme  of  the  History  is  of  a  graver  and  less  poe- 
tical cast.  Perhaps  the  most  striking  passage  it  contains 
is  the  descant  on  Nobility.  It  appears  from  this  piece, 
that  the  translation  of  Boece's  history  was  not  intended 
for  general  circulation,  but  for  the  young  nobles,  in  whose 
behalf  the  Statute  of  Education  was  passed  in  the  previous 
reign. 

Tharefore  tliow  ganis,  for  na  catyve  wichtis 
AUanerly,  bot  unto  nobyll  meu. 

The  Prolong  apoun  ye  Traduction  of  Titus  Livius, 
is  of  a  moral,  but  not  very  poetical  character.  It  has 
been  printed  in  the  Dissertation,  prefixed  to  Dr  Ley- 
den's  edition  of  the  Complaint  of  Scotland.  After  con- 
ciliating Bellona  and  Apollo,  the  Poet  invokes  the  ac- 
complished James  to  be  "  the  Muse  and  Ledare  of  his 
"  pen ;"  and  perhaps  the  principal  interest  of  the  Prolong, 
consists  in  representing  the  Monarch  as  a  patron  of  li- 
terature. 

An  unpublished  Poem  of  Bellenden's,  on  the  Con- 
ception of  Christ,  is  to  be  found  in  the  Hyndford  Manu- 
script ;  but  the  poetical  merit  of  this  piece  is  inconsider- 
able.^ 


1  This  MS.,  which  is  preserved  in  the  Advocates'  Library,  bears  the 


xlvi  BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

Bellenden's  Chronicle,  which  closes  with  the  death 
of  James  the  First,  is  rather  a  free  version  than  a  literal 
translation  of  Boece ;  and  possesses  in  several  respects 
the  character  of  an  original  work.^  Many  of  the  histori- 
cal errors  of  the  latter  are  corrected — not  a  few  of  his  re- 
dundancies retrenched — and  his  more  glaring  omissions 
supplied.  The  general  structure  of  the  History,  however, 
remains  untouched  ;  and  the  line  of  the  Kings  of  Scot- 
land is  maintained  in  all  the  antiquity  and  splendour 
which  Boece  assigns  to  it. 

Among  the  more  striking  passages  of  the  Transla- 
tion, we  may  refer  to  the  story  of  Caractacus.  After 
an  interesting  detail  of  his  unsuccessful  warfare  against 
the  Romans,  which  was  closed  by  the  treason  of  his  step- 
mother Cartumandia,  the  British  Prince  appears  as  a  cap- 
tive at  Rome,  attended  by  his  wife,  and  all  his  kindred. 
His  horses  and  chariots  are  exhibited  before  him,  as  the 


date  of  1558 ;  a  great  part  of  it,  however,  has  evidently  been  written  at  a 
more  recent  period. 

^  Bellendeu  not  unfrequently  introduces  into  his  narrative  passages  of 
considerable  length,  of  which  no  trace  is  to  be  found  in  the  original.  In- 
stances of  this  occur  in  vol.  2d,  pages  297^  299,  373,  and  479-  The  story 
of  the  White  Hart,  which  attacked  David  the  First,  while  hunting  on 
Rude-day ;  the  animadversions  on  that  king's  excessive  liberality  to  the 
church ;  the  remark  which  it  drew  from  James  the  First ;  the  defence  of 
Robert  Bruce  from  the  suspicion  of  having  occasioned  the  capture  of  Dun- 
bar, by  withdrawing  his  vassals  from  its  defence ;  and  the  information  as 
to  the  nickname,  and  losses  of  Archibald,  Earl  of  Douglas,  are  all  sup- 
plied by  the  translator.  Numerous  other  instances  occur  throughout  the 
work.  In  general,  however,  Bellenden  has  rather  abridged  his  author ;  but 
he  has  done  it  judiciously ;  the  uninteresting  passages  being  those  upon 
which  this  liberty  has  been  most  freely  exercised. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xlvii 

monuments  of  his  defeat ;  and  the  spectacle  is  gazed  up- 
on by  the  Roman  people,  with  a  mixture  of  triumph  and 
of  pity.  The  heart  of  the  warrior  is  unsubdued  even  by 
the  presence  of  the  Emperor.  He  addresses  the  Roman 
Potentate  with  the  courage  of  a  patriot  King ;  and  Ro- 
man magnanimity  immediately  rewards  him  by  pardon 
and  freedom.^ 

The  terror  of  the  Roman  army  during  the  first  night 
after  their  victory  over  Eugenius,  is  also  powerfully  de- 
lineated ;  and  the  passage  affords  an  admirable  specimen 
of  the  force  and  variety  of  the  ancient  language  of  Scot- 
land.^ It  has  been  often  quoted.  The  animating  speech 
too  of  the  Scottish  general  to  his  army,  on  the  eve  of  the 
conflict  with  ISIaximus,  is  worthy  of  notice.^ 

Many  characters  are  described  by  Bellenden  with  a  vi- 
gour and  conciseness  superior  to  the  original.  Of  this, 
his  account  of  Constantine,  the  third  brother  of  Eugenius, 
and  of  "  King  Culine  and  his  vicius  life,"  afford  in- 
stances.* The  unfortunate  expedition  of  the  English 
princes,  Osbret  and  Ella,  to  the  North,  with  the  subse- 
quent terror  and  desolation  of  Scotland,  exhibits  a  fine 
piece  of  historical  painting. 

Bellenden  is  remarkably  successful  in  the  translation  of 
Speeches.   There  are  few  better  specimens  of  simple  and 

ancient  eloquence,  than  the  two  orations  of  Kenneth  ; 

the  first,  said  to  have  been  delivered  to  a  convention  of 


1  B.  III.  C.  xvi. 

2  B.  VI.  ch.  xvii.  3  Id. 

*  B.  VIII.  ch.  vii.— B.  XI.  ch.  vi. 


xlviii  BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

his  nobles  at  Scone,i  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  their  as- 
sistance in  purging  "  his  realme  of  all  misdoaris  ;" — and 
the  second,^  delivered  in  a  similar  situation,  in  order  to  in- 
duce his  nobles  to  concur  in  an  alteration  of  the  ancient 
Scottish  law,  relative  to  the  succession  to  the  crown.  The 
speech  of  Bruce  to  his  army  previous  to  the  battle  of 
Bannockburn,  and  that  of  Alexander  Seaton's  wife,  "  ane 
wise  woman,  above  the  spreit  of  man,"  are  of  a  diiFer- 
ent  and  higher  character,  and  present  fine  examples  of 
hortatory  eloquence. 

The  wild  tale  of  Macbeth,  and  the  Weird  Sisters,  to 
which  the  genius  of  Shakespeare  has  given  historical 
reality,^  does  not  lose  its  interest  in  the  translation  of  the 
Arch  dean  of  Moray  .^  The  tragic  poet  borrowed  liberal- 
ly from  HoUingshed's  English  version  of  the  Cro7iiMis, 
adopting,  in  many  instances,  not  only  the  thoughts,  but 
the  language  even  of  the  Scottish  historian.  This  is  par- 
ticularly observable  in  Malcolm's  feigned  account  of  his 
own  profligacy ;  in  JNIacdufF's  pathetic  valedictory  address 
to  Scotland  ;^  and  in  the  circumstances  of  that  fearful  con- 
flict, which  terminated  in  the  death  of  the  usurper.''  The 
character  of  Lady  Macbeth,  is  but  obscurely  hinted  at  in 
the  CroniJclis;  and  to  Shakespeare  alone  are  we  indebted 
for  that  splendid  personification  of  guilty  ambition.  In 
the  structure  of  his  drama,  the  poet  avails  himself  of  in- 


1  B.  XI.  ch.  vii. 

2  B.  XI.  ch.  ix. 
^  Lord  Hailes. 

*  B.  XII.  ch.  iii.  iv.  v.  vi.  vii. 

5  Macbeth,  Act  \\.  Sc.  3.     Croniklis,  B.  XII.  C.  vii. 

^  Macbeth,  Act.  v.  So.  7-     Croniklis,  Id. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xlix 

cideiits  which  are  to  be  found  in  Bellenden's  account  of 
the  murder  of  Duffus  by  Donevald.^ 

It  was  not  till  the  beginning  of  the  16th  century  that 
the  art  of  printing  was  introduced  into  Scotland.  In 
1507,  Chapman  and  IMillar  established  a  press  at  Edin- 
burgh, under  a  patent.  They  printed  a  variety  of  Poeti- 
cal Tracts  in  1508 ;  and  the  first  volume  of  the  Breviary 
of  the  Church  of  Aberdeen  in  1509.  The  second  volume 
of  this  work  was  printed  in  1510.  Bellenden's  Chroni- 
cle was  certainly  the  next  work  of  any  consequence 
printed  in  Scotland.  It  has  been  already  stated,  that 
the  precise  date  of  its  publication  is  unknown.  As- 
suming, however,  that  there  were  more  editions  of  the 
work  than  one,  and  that  they  must  have  been  printed 
previous  to  1541,  when  Davidson  obtained  the  situation 
of  King's  Printer ;  we  may  safely  conclude,  that  it  is  one 
of  the  earliest  and  most  considerable  specimens  of  Scottish 
Typography  which  exists. 

It  is,  besides,  the  purest  specimen  we  possess  of  the 
early  prose  of  Scotland ;  and  it  affords  a  mine,  from  which 
the  richest  ore  of  the  ancient  language  of  the  Lowland 
Scots  may  be  extracted.  The  invaluable  Dictionary  of 
Dr  Jamieson  has  rescued  that  language  from  the  oblivion 
into  which  it  was  hastening ;  and,  in  it,  liberal  use  has 
been  made  of  the  stores  of  Bellenden.  That  the  Lowland 
Scotch  has  claims  to  a  high  degree  of  antiquity,  seems 
now  generally  admitted.     The  notion  that  it  is  derived 


*  Book  XI.  chap.  iv. 
VOL.  I.  e- 


1  BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

exclusively  from  the  Anglo-Saxon,  has  been  discarded, 
while  its  origin  has  been  successfully  traced  to  the  ancient 
Gothic.  It  is  a  rich,  varied,  and  powerful  dialect.  The 
mixture  of  French  words  is  easily  accounted  for,  by  the 
early  intercourse  which  existed  between  the  two  nations. 
Indeed,  many  families  of  French  and  Norman  extraction, 
settled  in  Scotland  as  early  as  the  reign  of  Malcolm  Can- 
more  ;  and  at  subsequent  periods,  migrations  of  this  sort 
became  extremely  frequent.  The  natives  of  France 
brought  their  language  along  with  them  ;  and  as  the  dia- 
lect of  the  court  and  of  the  provinces  of  Scotland  was  the 
same,  the  use  of  Norman-French  became  prevalent.  The 
language  of  the  Continent  was  thus  directly  imported 
into  Scotland ;  and,  accordingly,  we  find  many  French 
words  and  phrases  in  our  early  prose  writers,  which  at  no 
period  have  formed  any  part  of  the  dialect  of  England. 
This  subject  might  be  farther  illustrated  by  a  reference  to 
the  similarity  between  the  early  Romances  of  France  and 
of  Scotland.  IMany  of  the  tales  collected  in  the  Fcibliaux 
of  Le  Grand,  were  familiar  to  the  peasantry  of  Scotland 
in  the  early  part  of  the  Sixteenth  Century.  But  what 
has  been  already  stated,  goes  far  to  establish,  that  we  are 
not  indebted  to  our  Southern  neighbours  for  the  earlier 
Continental  contributions  to  our  language.  These  came 
to  us  directly  from  France,  while  the  stock  upon  which 
they  were  grafted,  was  of  Gothic  origin. 

Among  the  works  of  Bellenden,  Bale  enumerates  a 
tract  on  the  Pythagoric  liCtter,  and  a  discourse  upon 
Virtue  and  Pleasure,  neither  of  which  are  extant.  Other 
writers  state  that  he  wrote  a  Life  of  Pythagoras.  With 
respect  to  the  discourse  upon  Virtue  and  Pleasure,  it 
is  not  at  all  improbable,  that  Bale  may  refer  to  the  Pro- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION.  li 

heme  of  the  Cosmogrcqihe,  the  allegorical  character  of 
which  has  been  already  explained.  The  Epistle  to  James 
the  Fifth,  which  has  also  been  mentioned  as  a  distinct 
work,  is  obviously  the  letter  subjoined  to  the  translation 
of  Boece.  This  sufficiently  appears  from  the  first  words  of 
it,  as  given  by  Bale,  Erasmus  JRotei'odamus,  in  Vibro  cle. 
The  epistle  "  Direckit  be  ye  translatoure  to  the  kyngis 
grace,"  commences  "  Erasmus  Roterodamus,  in  his  buke." 
Bale  seems  to  imagine  that  Bellenden  composed  a 
piece,  supe?'  qiiodam  somnioy  but  it  is  more  than  probable 
that  this  too  refers  to  the  Proheme  of  the  Cosmographe^ 
which  assumes  the  form  of  a  vision.  The  last  article  in 
Bale's  Catalogue  of  the  writings  of  Bellenden,  is  a  book 
said  to  contain  Diversi  generis  Carmina.  This  is  not  ex- 
tant ;  nor  is  there  any  satisfactory  evidence  that  such 
a  work  was  ever  published.  Dr  Campbell  states  that 
several  of  Bellenden's  poems  were  in  the  possession  of  Mr 
Lawrence  Dundas,  Professor  of  Humanity  in  the  Uni- 
versity of  Edinburgh  ;  and  others  are  still  supposed  to 
exist  in  the  repositories  of  private  families.^  Bale  men- 
tions it  as  a  report,  without,  however,  giving  any  opinion 
as  to  its  truth,  that  Bellenden  continued  the  History  of 
Boece  to  the  year  1536.  This  certainly  was  at  one  pe- 
riod his  intention.  After  alluding,  in  the  Proheme  of 
the  History,  to  what  he  has  already  done,  he  continues. 

And  yet  becaiis  my  time  hes  bene  so  schort  ; 
I  think  qulieu  I  have  opportunite 
To  ring  thair  bell  into  ane  othir  sort. 


*  "  It  is  certain  that  many  of  his  writings  are  in  the  hands  of  persons  of 
distinction  in  Scotland,  who  are  careful  preservers  of  such  kind  of  curiosi- 
ties "—5?o^rop/i.  Britan. 


hi  BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

The  classical  acquirements  of  Bellenden  are  attested 
by  a  translation  of  the  First  five  Books  of  Livy,  execu- 
ted at  the  command  of  James  the  Fifth.  A  copy  of  this 
manuscript  work,  which  is  not  noticed  by  our  author's 
earlier  biographers,  was  presented  to  the  Advocates'  Li- 
brary, by  the  late  Lord  Elliock,  to  whom  it  appears  to 
have  belonged  in  1730.  It  is  in  excellent  order  ;  and  the 
hand-writing  may  be  attributed  to  the  early  part  of  the 
Sixteenth  Century  ;  but  whether  it  is  that  of  the  Arch- 
dean  of  JNloray,  must  remain  a  matter  of  doubt.  The 
notices  which  have  already  been  quoted  from  the  Trea- 
surer's Accounts,  shew  that  the  Translation  of  Livy  was 
executed  in  1533. 

The  version  of  the  Roman  Historian,  seems  to  be  ren- 
dered with  the  same  freedom  and  spirit  which  distin- 
guishes that  of  Boece  ;  and  it  is  to  be  hoped,  that  at  no 
very  distant  period,  so  A^aluable  a  relict  of  our  early  li- 
terature will  be  rescued  from  the  obscurity  in  which  it  at 
present  remains.  To  the  specimens  of  it  which  are  already 
before  the  public  in  Dr  Ley  den's  Introduction  to  the  Com- 
plaint of  Scotland,  may  be  added,  the  appeal  of  the  elder 
Horatius  in  behalf  of  his  son,  which  is  very  happily 
translated : 

"  O  Romanis  (said  he)  have  ze  sa  feirs  and  innative 
"  cruelte  in  zoure  hartis,  yat  ze  may  se  him  bound  under 
"  ye  galloas  w*  grete  torment  and  punycioun  :  quhom 
"  ze  saw  laitlie  decorit  and  triumphand,  w*  hie  victorie  of 
"  zorinemyies.  Ibelief  yeAlbanis  hisunmerciful  fais  my 
"  nocht  behald  sa  terribil  sicht  and  cruelte  done  to  him. 
"  Pas  yow  Burreo,  and  bynd  yai  handis,  quhilkis  latelie 
"  quhen  yai  war  armit,  conquest  sa  hie  empire  to  Romane 


BIOGRAnilCAL  INTRODUCTION.  liii 

"  pepill :  Pas  yow  Burreo,  and  covir  ye  hede  of  yat  cam- 
"  pioiin,  quhilk  is  ye  deliverare  of  yis  ciete  fra  thirldome: 
"  Hing  up  his  body  in  ane  unchancy  tre :  Skurge  him  now 
"  within  ye  Pomerie,  amang  ye  horaciane  Pillaris ;  and 
"  spulezeis  conquest  be  him  of  inemyis  ;  or  ellis  skurge 
"  him  utouth  ye  Pomerie  amang  ye  sepulcuris  of  Cura- 
"  cianis.  Ze  can  have  him  to  na  maner  of  placis  within 
"  zoure  senzeorie  ;  bot  his  grete  meritis,  and  glore  of  vic- 
"  torie,  sail  ay  deliver  him  fra  sic  schamefull  and  vile  puny- 
"  tioun." 

It  appears  from  the  poetical  Prologue^  that  it  was  Bel- 
lenden's  original  intention  to  have  translated  the  whole 
of  Livy ;  but  the  following  verses  subjoined  to  it  in  a 
later  hand,  in  the  copy  already  referred  to,  lead  to  the  in- 
ference, that  the  translator  never  completed  more  than 
five  Books  of  his  task  : 

Fyve  buikes  ar  here  by  Ballantyne  translated  ; 
Restis  zet  ane  hundred  threttie  fyve  beliind, — 
Quhilkis  if  ye  samyn  war  alsweill  compleated, 
Wald  be  ane  volume  of  ane  monstrous  bind. — 
Ilk  man  perfytes  not  (juliat  they  ance  intend, 
Sij  fraill  and  brittle  ar  our  wretched  dayes : 
Let  sume  man  then  begin  q''  he  doeth  end, 

%        Give  him  ye  first,  tak  yame  ye  secund  praise : 
No,  no !  to  Titus  Livius  give  all. 
That  peerles  prince  for  feattis  historical!. 

^  A.  Home,  «S'/  Leonardes. 

In  giving  to  the  Public  this  reprint  of  the  CroniMis  of 
Scotland,  it  may  be  safely  stated,  that  the  lover  of  antique 
lore  will  find  it  rich  in  harbaric  pearl  arid  gold.  The  for- 
mer may  be  rudely  set,  and  the  latter  coarsely  wrought ; 


Jiv  BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

but  the  intrinsic  value  of  the  gem  and  of  the  metal  re- 
mains the  same.  The  rust  of  age  has  not  obscured  the 
fancy  and  imagery  with  which  the  work  abounds;  and 
if  all  the  inaccuracies  of  Boece  are  not  corrected,  and  all 
his  fables  not  discarded,  it  can  only  be  said,  in  apology 
for  the  venerable  Archdean,  that  some  degree  of  credu- 
lity may  he  excused,  in  an  age  when  all  men  were  credit- 
Ions. 


SUBSCRIBERS. 


Rev.  L.  Adamsox,  Cupar,  Fife. 

Library  of  the  Faculty  of  Advocates. 

Gabriel  Alexander,  Esq.  Advocate. 

Thomas  Allan,  Esq. 

Joseph  Bain,  Jun.  Esq.  Glasgo\r. 

The  Hon.  Lord  Bannatyne. 

Robert  Bell,  Esq.  Advocate. 

The  Most  Noble  the  Marquis  of  Bute. 

Alexander  Campbell,  Esq. 

Elias  Cathcart,  Esq.  Advocate. 

William  Cathcart,  Esq. 

James  Cheape,  Esq.  of  Stratyrum. 

Andrew  Clephane,  Esq.  Advocate. 

John  Clerk,  Esq.  of  Eldon,  Advocate. 

Henry  Cockburn,  Esq.  Advocate. 

John  Cockburn,  Esq. 

George  Cranstoun,  Esq.  Advocate. 

Patrick  Crichton,  Esq. 

The  Hon.  John  Leslie  Cuming,  General. 

John  Cunningham,  Esq.  Advocate. 

J.  G.  Dalyell,  Esq.  Advocate. 

Captain  Davidson. 

James  Dundas,  Esq.  W.S. 

Robert  Dundas,  Esq.  of  Arniston,  Advocate. 

Alexander  Dunlop,  Esq.  Advocate. 

Robert  Ferguson,  Esq.  of  Raith. 

The  Right  Hon.  the  Earl  of  Fife. 

John  Fullerton,  Esq.  Advocate. 

J.  T.  Gibson,  Esq. 

George  Gordon,  Esq.  of  Hallliead. 

Robert  Gr.eme,  Esq.  Advocate. 

Peter  Halkerston,  LL.D. 

Alexander  Henderson,  Esq.  Surveyor-Gen.  of  the  Post- 

Office. 
The  Hon.  Lord  Hermand. 
Laurence  Hill,  Esq.  Glasgow. 
David  Irving,  LL.D. 
Henry  Jardine,  Esq. 
Francis  Jeffrey,  Esq.  Advocate. 
James  Keay,  Esq.  Advocate. 
Viscount  Keith. 

Sir  Alexander  Keith,  of  Ravelston  and  Dunnottar, 
T.  F.  Kennedy,  Esq.  of  Di^ure,  M.P. 


Ivi  SUBSCRIBERS. 

John  Kerr,  Esq.  Glasgow. 
John  Kirkpatrick^  Esq.  Advocate. 
Mr  David  Laing. 

Sir  Thomas  Dick  Lauder,  of  Fountainhall,  Bart. 
Mr  W.  H.  Lizars. 
J.  G.  LocKHART,  Esq.  Advocate. 
^NEAS  Macbean,  Esq.  W.S. 
William  M'Dowall,  Esq.  of  Barr. 
William  M'Dowall,  Esq.  Advocate. 
J.  W.  Mackenzie,  Esq.  W.S. 
J.  N.  Macleod,  Esq.  of  Macleod. 
James  Maidment,  Esq.  Advocate. 

Thomas  INIaitland,  Esq.  yr.  of  Dundrennan,  Advocate. 
Gilbert  Laing  Meason,  Esq.  of  Lindertis. 
Mr  Alexander  Milne,  Forres. 
James  Moncrieff,  Esq.  Advocate. 
J.  S.  More,  Esq.  Advocate. 
J.  A.  Murray,  Esq.  Advocate. 
James  Nairn e,  Esq.  W.S. 
R.  A.  Oswald,  Esq.  of  Aiichencniive. 
Alexander  Osv^^ald,  Esq.  Advocate. 
Messrs  Payne  &  Foss,  Pall  Mall,  London. 
Robert  Pitcairn,  Esq.  W.S. 
James  Rennie,  Esq.  Civil  Engineer. 
John  Richardson,  Esq.  London. 
Patrick  Robertson,  Esq.  Advocate. 
Andrew  Rutherfurd,  Esq.  Advocate. 
Sir  Walter  Scott  of  Abbotsford,  Bart. 
Charles  Selkrig,  Esq.  Accountant. 
Sir  Samuel  Shepperd,  Lord  Chief  Baron. 
Thomas  Sivwright,  Esq.  of  Meggetland. 
Andrew  Skene,  Esq.  Advocate. 
Right  Hon.  Earl  Spencer,  K.G.,  Large  Paper. 
Sir  Samuel  Stirling,  Bart.  Advocate. 
William  Stirling,  Esq. 
James  Tait,  Esq. 
Mr  a.  Thomson,  Large  Paper. 
Alexander  Thomson,  Esq.  Banchory. 
Thoaias  Thomson,  Esq.  Advocate. 
Mr  Robert  Triphook,  London — 3  Copies. 
James  Tytler,  Esq.  of  Woodhouselee,  W.S. 
P.  F.  Tytler,  Esq.  Advocate. 
George  Veitch,  Esq.  W.S. 

James  Wedderburn,  Esq.  His  Majesty's  Solicitor- 
General. 
Robert  Whigham,  Esq.  of  Lochpatrick,  Advocate. 
Mr  Isaac  Wils<in,  Hull — 3  Copies,  Large  Paper. 
Thomas  Guthrie  Wright,  Esq.  W.S. 
Library  of  Writers  to  his  Majesty's  Signet. 


J 


fl  The  Excusation  of  the  Prentar. 

lI3gj)ne  of  man  lie  incltnattoun 
31n  find?5  ixij?fe  li5  geutn>  ajs  tue  fe, 
^um  men  ar  geutn  to  Dettacttoun> 
31nu|)>  tiifplefetv,  or  malancolfe, 


and  to  ttjait  n^ctjliouvtjs  fjejs  no  cljmtt, 
%u\n  tit  fo  nolJiU  and  fnll  of  genttlnejj, 
Cliag  luf  no  tf)xng  6ot  3lo|?  anti  nitt^mss, 

f  ^um  av  at  t)ntitt%  anti  fum  matO  up  of  nocfjt* 
^nm  men  luffijs  peate>  and  fum  Oefmjs  tueit* 
^um  tj5  fo  iJl^tD  in  to  f)tj$  met^  tljocljt, 
fpt  rurijs  noctit;  j5o  fie  ma^  perfeueir 
3\n  gtace  and  fauouv  of  fjtss  lati^  tiea% 
^um  fioltitn  at  otfjir  tn  matft  tmtil  feid 
2Bttfj  lance  and  dagar  rpnnijs  to  tf)e  detd. 

0^  ane  fted  tljat  mprj^t  ane  fjund^ettj  metl  fufiene, 

and  letfe  in  too  and  pennante  at  DtsJ  tafile* 

and  of  gud  fallotjs  eompttss  noc&t  ane  fiene, 

^10  to^ectjit  m|?nd  i&  fo  tndactafile, 

ass  fjeuin  and  tjell  toev  no  tljing  fiot  ane  fable 

^e  fixvnisi  a|>,  fiut  fgrljt  to  gud  o?  eutl, 

and  t^nniiS  toitlj  all  1)1^  fiaggijs  to  tlje  deutl, 

f  and  31  tlje  pventar  t^at  doisj  tonfidtt;  ttiexl 

Cl]tt  (ind?p  m^ndig  of  men  in  tljm  leutng, 

2)e(xd0  norljt  fiot  on  mj?  laufiout  letl 

Cliat  31  ni^tljt  letf,  and  of  m^  31«fi  tn^nn^ng 

^i^rljt  fivfl  pletjj  (^od>  and  f^ne  out  nofile  l^^ng^ 

and  t^at  ^e  t:edet0  fioufum  and  attent 

Wtt  of  m^  laufioui;  and  fief|)ne0  content* 

and  tn  t^isi  tuack  t&at  31  Ijaue  Ijeic  aflTaxl^eft 
Co  filing  to  ipcljt,  maifl  Ijumelj)  3[  tvijtitt 
^otu  nofiill  tedetd,  quljare  tljat  31  Dane  fatl^eit 
3ln  letter,  fillafie,  po^ntiss  lang,  o?  fc^oU* 
Cljat  ?e  toill  of  ^our  gentrice  it  fuppoU* 
and  tafe  tlje  fentence  ttje  fiefl  in^fe  ^e  ma^, 
31  fall  do  fietter  (toill  (^od)  ane  otljir  da^. 

f  JTinisJ* 


THE  CONTENTIS 


OF 


THIS  BUKE. 


N  the  first,  the  Proheme  apon  the  Cosmographie ;  schaw- 
and  the  fine  of  vicius  and  \Trtewis  leiffing,  and  causis 
quhy  the  translatoure  tuke  this  werk  on  hand. 
The  discriptioun  of  Scotland ;  devidit  in  rubrikis  and 

cheptouris. 

Ane  compendious  narratioun  of  the  auld  institutionis,  maneris, 
and  leving  of  Scottis ;  with  ane  morall  doctrine,  deploring  sindry  re- 
cent and  evill  conswetudis  brocht  in  this  realme,  to  the  gret  diffor- 
mite  of  the  pepill  now  present  in  the  samin. 

Ane  schort  recapitulation  of  all  kingis  of  Britane,  fra  the  first  be- 
gimiing  thairof,  to  the  empire  of  King  Hary  the  VIII.,  regnand  now 
with  gret  felicite  abone  Inglismen. 

The  table  of  the  historic ;  contenand  every  buke  and  cheptour 
craftely  severit  be  thaimself. 

The  names  of  all  kingis  and  governouris  of  Scotland  sen  the  realme 
began ;  schawing,  in  quhat  bukis  and  cheptouris  of  the  historic  fol- 
lowing, thair  livis  and  marciall  dedis  sal  be  esalie  foundin. 

The  proheme  apon  the  historic;  schawand,  breiffelie,  the  con- 
tentis  and  maist  notable  thingis  in  this  buke. 

The  beginning  of  Scottis,  and  quliy  thay  wer  callit  with  that  name; 
thair  happy  cuming  out  of  Egipt  to  Spanye,  Ireland,  the  His  of  Al- 
bion, and  to  ,that  regioun  that  wes  callit  be  thaim  Scotland. 

The  vailyeant  and  weirlie  dedis  of  all  kingis,  princis,  governouris, 
and  chiftanis  of  Scotland ;  with  maist  dangerus  and  terribil  battallis 
fochtin,  be  sindry  chancis  of  fortoun,  aganis  the  Britonis,  Pichtis, 
Saxonis,  Inglismen,  and  Danis. 


iv  THE  CONTENTIS  OF  THIS  BUKE. 

The  beginning  of  Pichtis;  thair  confideratioun  with  Scottis  in 
amite,  blud,  and  freindschip;  thair  weris  lang  contine%ving  aganis 
the  Romanis,  be  support  of  Scottis ;  thair  exterminioun  and  finall 
expulsioun  out  of  Albion  be  the  weris  of  Scottis. 

The  beginning  of  Britonis;  thair  lang  weris,  persevering  aganis' 
the  Romanis.     How  thai  wer  subdewit,  and  thair  realme  maid  tri- 
butar  in  forme  of  province ;  and,  finalie,  doung  out  of  Britane  in 
Walis  be  weris  of  Saxonis. 

The  cuming  of  Saxonis  in  Britane ;  thair  weris,  slichtis,  and  mar- 
ciall  dedis,  wrocht,  be  sindry  chancis,  aganis  the  Britonis,  Scottis, 
and  Pichtis. 

The  weris  of  Inglismen,  eftir  the  cuming  of  Saxonis. 

Mony  uncouth  merveillis  and  wounderfuU  thingis,  schawin  ay  in 
the  samin  season  as  thay  fell ;  with  the  names  of  maist  notable  Clerkis 
and  Sanctis,  levand  for  the  time  in  the  warld. 

Mony  grave  concionis,  orisonis,  consultationis,  and  epistillis,  con- 
tenand  richt  fructuus  and  morall  doctrinis ;  with  sa  resolute  and  de- 
gest  responses,  that  na  othir  buke  sal  be  foundin  mair  proffitable 
nor  pleasand  to  the  reders. 

Ane  epistill,  direckit  be  the  translatoure  to  the  Kingis  grace,  in 
the  letter  end  of  this  buke ;  inducing  his  Hienes  to  frequent  reding  of 
the  historic  precedent. 


FINIS. 


Folhwis  the  Proheme  apon  the  Cosmographie. 


THE 


PROHEME 


OF  THE 


COSMOGRAPHE. 


Uhen  silvir  Diane,  ful  of  bemis  bricht, 
Fra  dirk  eclips  wes  past,  this  othir  nicht, 
And  in  the  crab,  hir  propir  mansion,  gane ; 
Artophilax  contending  at  his  micht, 

In  the  gret  eist,  to  set  his  visage  richt ; 

I  mene,  the  ledar  of  the  Charle-wane ; 

Abone  our  heid  wes  the  ursis  twane  : 

Quhen  sterns  small  obscuris  in  our  sicht, 

And  Lucifer  left  twinkland  him  allane : 

The  frosty  nicht,  with  hir  prolixit  houris, 
Hir  mantill  quhit  spred  on  the  tender  flouris: 
Quhen  ardent  lauboure  hes  addressit  me 
Translait  the  story  of  our  progenitouris, 
Thair  gret  manheid,  hie  wisdome,  and  honouris ; 
Quhen  we  may  cleir,  as  in  ane  mirroure,  se 
The  furius  end  sum  time  of  tirannie ; 
Sum  time  the  glore  of  prudent  governouris : 
Ilk  stait  apprisit  in  thair  faculte. 

My  wery  spreit  desiring  to  repres 
My  emptive  pen  of  frutles  besines, 


THE  PROHEME 

Awalkit  furth  to  tak  the  recent  aire ; 

Quhen  Priapus,  with  stormy  weid  oppres, 

Raqueistit  me,  in  his  maist  tendernes, 

To  rest  ane  quhile  amid  his  gardingis  bare. 

Bot  I  no  maner  couth  my  mind  prepare 

To  set  aside  unplesand  hevines, 

On  this  and  that  contempHng  solitare. 

And  first  occurrit  to  my  remembring, 
How  that  I  wes  in  service  with  the  King ; 
Put  to  his  Grace  in  yeris  tenderest, 
Clerk  of  his  Comptis,  thoucht  I  wes  inding, 
With  hart  and  hand,  and  every  othir  thing 
That  micht  him  pleis  in  ony  maner  best ; 
Quhill  hie  invy  me  from  his  service  kest, 
Be  thaim  that  had  the  Court  in  governing, 
As  bird  but  plumes  heryit  of  the  nest. 

Our  life,  our  giding,  and  our  aventuris, 
Dependis  from  thir  hevinlie  creaturis 
Apperandlie  be  sum  necessite. 
For  thoucht  ane  man  wald  set  his  besy  curis, 
So  far  as  laboure  and  his  wisdome  furis, 
To  fle  hard  chance  of  infortunite ; 
Thoucht  he  eschew  it  with  difficulte ; 
The  cursit  weird  yit  ithandlie  enduris, 
Gevin  to  him  first  in  his  nativite. 

Of  erdlie  stait  bewaling  thus  the  chance. 
Of  fortoun  gud  I  had  na  esperance. 
So  lang  I  swomit  in  hir  seis  deip. 
That  sad  avising  with  hir  thochtful  lance, 
Couth  find  na  port  to  ankir  hir  firmance ; 
Quhill  Morpheus,  the  drery  god  of  sleip, 
•For  very  reuth  did  on  my  curis  weip. 
And  set  his  sleuth  and  deidly  contenance 
With  snorand  vanis  throw  my  body  creip. 


/ 

OF  THE  COSMOGRAPHE.  vii 

Me  thocht  I  was  in  to  ane  plesand  meid, 
Quhare  Flora  maid  the  tender  ble\vniis  spreid, 
Throw  kindlie  dew  and  humouris  nutrative ; 
Quhen  goldin  Titan,  with  his  flammis  reid, 
Abone  the  seis  rasit  up  his  heid ; 
DifFounding  down  his  heit  restorative 
To  every  frute  that  nature  maid  on  Hve, 
QuhUk  wes  afore  in  to  the  winter  deid. 
For  stormis  cald  and  frostis  penitrive. 

Ane  silver  fontane  sprang  of  watter  cleir 
In  to  that  place  quhare  I  approchit  neir. 
Quhare  I  did  sone  espy  ane  fellown  reird 
Of  courtly  gallandis  in  thair  best  maneir, 
Rejosing  thaim  in  season  of  the  yeir, 
As  it  had  bene  of  Mayis  day  the  feird. 
Thair  gudlie  havingis  maid  me  nocht  afFeird. 
With  thaim  I  saAV  ane  cro^vTiit  King  appeir, 
With  tendir  downis  rising  on  his  beird. 

Thir  courthe  gallandis  settand  thair  intends 
To  sing,  and  play  on  divers  instrumentis, 
According  to  this  Princis  appetit ;  , 
Two  plesand  ladyis  come  pransand  ouir  the  bentis ; 
Thair  costlie  clethin  schew  thair  michty  rentis. 
Quhat  hart  micht  wis,  thay  wantit  nocht  ane  mit ; 
The  rubeis  schone  apone  thau*  fingaris  quhit ; 
And,  finalie,  I  knew,  be  thair  consentis, 
This  ane,  Virtew ;  that  othir,  hecht  DeHte. 

Thir  Goddesses  arrayit  in  this  wise. 

As  reverence  and  honoure  hst  devise. 

Afore  this  Prince,  fell  down  apon  thair  kneis ; 

Sine  dressit  thaim  in  to  thair  best  a^^se, 

So  far  as  wisdome  in  thair  power  lyis. 

To  do  the  thing  that  micht  him  best  appleis, 

Quhare  he  rejosit  in  his  hevinly  gleis; 


THE  PROHEME 

"  Gif  thow  desiris  in  the  seis  fleit 

"  Of  hevinly  blis,  than  me  thy  lady  treit ; 

"  For  it  is  said  be  clerkis  of  renoun, 

"  Thair  is  na  plcseir  in  this  eii'd  so  gret 

"  As  quhen  ane  luffar  dois  his  lady  meit, 

"  To  quikin  his  life  of  mony  deidly  swon. 

"  As  hiest  pleseir  but  compai'ison, 

"  I  sail  the  geif,  into  thy  yeris  swete, 

"  Ane  lusty  halk  with  mony  plumis  broun; 

"  Quhilk  sal  be  found  so  joyus  and  plesant, 

"  Gif  thow  unto  hir  mery  flichtis  hant, 

"  Of  every  blis  that  may  in  erd  appeir, 

"  As  hart  will  think,  thow  sail  no  plente  want ; 

"  Quhill  yeris  swift,  with  quhelis  properant, 

"  Consume  thy  strenth,  and  all  thy  bewte  cleir." 

And  quhen  Delite  had  said  on  this  maneir, 

As  rage  of  youtheid  thocht  malst  relevant, 

Than  Vii'tew  said,  as  ye  sail  eftir  heir : 

"  My  landis  braid,  mth  mony  plentuus  schire, 
"  Sail  gif  thy  Hienes,  gif  thou  list  desire, 
"  Triumphant  glore,  hie  honoure,  fame  devine; 
"  With  sic  pissance,  that  thaim  na  furius  ire, 
"  Nor  werand  age,  nor  flame  of  birnand  fire, 
"  Nor  bitter  deith,  may  bring  unto  rewine. 
"  Bot  thow  mon  first  insuffer  mekill  pine, 
"  Abone  thy  self  that  thow  may  have  empire : 
"  Than  sail  thy  fame  and  honoure  have  na  fine. 

"  My  realme  is  set  among  my  fois  all ; 

"  Quhilkis  hes  ^vith  me  ane  weir  continewall, 

"  And  evir  still  dois  on  my  bordour  ly  ; 

"  And,  thoucht  thay  may  no  wayis  me  ouirthrall, 

"  Thay  ly  in  wait,  gif  ony  chance  may  fall 

"  Of  me  sum  time  to  get  the  victory. 


OF  THE  COSMOGRAPHE.  xi 

"  Thus  is  my  life  ane  ithand  chevalry. 
"  Laubour  me  haldis  Strang  as  ony  wall, 
"  And  no  thing  brekis  me  bot  slogardy. 

"  Na  fortoun  may  aganis  me  availl, 

"  Thoucht  scho  with  cludy  stormis  me  assaill. 

*'  I  brek  the  streme  of  scharp  adversite. 

"  In  weddir  louin  and  maist  tempestius  haill, 

"  But  ony  dreid,  I  beir  ane  equall  saill ; 

"  My  schip  so  Strang  that  I  may  nevir  de. 

"  Wit,  reason,  manheid,  governis  me  so  hie, 

*'  No  influence  nor  sterris  may  prevaill 

"  To  regne  on  me  with  infortunite. 

"  The  rage  of  youtheid  may  nocht  dantit  be, 
"  But  gret  distres  and  scharp  adversite ; 
"  As  be  this  reason  is  experience : 
"  The  finest  gold  or  silver  that  we  se, 
"  May  nocht  be  wrocht  to  our  utilite, 
"  But  flammis  kene  and  bitter  violence. 
"  The  more  distres,  the  more  intelligence. 
"  Quhay  salis  lang  in  hie  prosperite, 
"  Ar  sone  ouirset  be  stormy  violence. 

"  This  fragill  life,  as  moment  induring, 

"  But  dout,  sail  the  and  every  pepill  bring 

"  To  sickir  blis,  or  than  eternall  wo. 

"  Gif  thow  be  honest  lauboure  dois  ane  thing, 

"  Thy  panefull  laubour  sail  vanes  but  tarying, 

"  Howbeit  thy  honest  werkis  do  nocht  so : 

"  Gif  thow  be  lust  dois  ony  thing  also, 

"  The  schamefull  deid,  without  dissevering, 

"  Remanis  ay,  quhen  pleseir  is  ago. 

"  As  carvell  ticht  fast  tending  throw  the  see, 
"  Levis  na  prent  amang  the  wallis  hie ; 
"  As  birdis  swift,  with  mony  besy  plume, 


THE  PROHEME 

"  Peirsis  the  aire,  and  wait  nocht  quhare  thay  fle ; 

"  Siclik  our  life,  without  activitej 

"  Giffis  na  frut,  howbeit  ane  schado  blume. 

"  Quhay  dois  thair  life  into  this  erd  consume 

"  Without  virtew,  thair  fame  and  memorie 

"  Sail  vanis  soner  than  the  reky  fume. 

"  As  watter  purgis  and  makis  body  is  fair; 

"  As  fire  be  nature  ascendis  in  the  aire, 

"  And  purify  is  with  heitis  vehement; 

"  As  floure  dois  smell ;  as  frute  is  nurisare ; 

"  As  precius  balme  revertis  thingis  sare, 

"  And  makis  thaun  of  rot  impacient; 

"  As  spice,  maist  swete ;  as  ros,  maist  redolent ; 

"  As  stern  of  day,  be  moving  circulare, 

"  Chasis  the  nicht  with  bemis  resplendent : 

"  Siclik  my  werk  perfitis  every  wicht 

"  In  fervent  luf  of  maist  excellent  licht, 

"  And  makis  man  into  this  erd  but  peir ; 

"  And  dois  the  saule  fra  all  corruptioun  dicht 

"  With  odoure  dulce,  and  makis  it  more  bricht 

"  Than  Diane  fuU,  or  yit  AppoUo  cleir ; 

"  Sine  rasis  it  unto  the  hiest  speir, 

"  Immortaly  to  schine  in  Goddis  sicht, 

"  As  chosin  spous,  and  creature  most  deir. 

"  This  othir  wenche,  that  clepit  is  Delite, 
"  Involvis  man,  be  sensuall  appetite, 
"  In  every  kind  of  vice  and  misei'ie ; 
"  Becaus  na  ^vit  nor  reason  is  perfite, 
"  Quhare  scho  is  gide,  bot  skaithis  infinite, 
"  With  doloure,  schame,  and  urgent  poverte. 
"  For  scho  wes  get  of  frothis  of  the  see ; 
*•  Quhilk  signifies,  hir  pleseir  vennomit 
"  Is  midlit  ay  with  scharp  adversite. 


OF  THE  COSMOGRAPHE.  xiii 

"  Duke  Hanniball,  as  mony  authouris  wrait, 

"  Throw  Spanye  come,  be  mony  passage  strait, 

"  To  Italy  in  furour  bellicall ; 

"  Brak  doun  the  wallis,  and  the  montanis  slait, 

"  And  to  his  army  maid  ane  oppin  gait, 

"  And  victory  is  had  on  the  Romanis  all : 

"  At  Capua,  be  pleseir  sensuall, 

"  This  Duk  wes  maid  so  soft  and  deligait, 

"  That  with  his  fois  he  wes  sone  ouirthrall. 

"  Of  feirs  Achill,  the  weirhe  dedis  sprang 

"  In  Troy  and  Grece,  quhill  he  in  virtew  rang ; 

"  How  lust  him  slew,  it  is  bot  reuth  to  heir. 

"  Siclik  the  Trojanis,  with  thair  knichtis  Strang, 

"  The  vailyeant  Grekis  fra  thair  roumes  dang ; 

"  Victoriuslie  exercit  mony  yeir : 

"  That  nicht  thay  went  to  thair  lust  and  pleseir, 

"  The  fatall  hors  did  throw  thair  walhs  fang, 

"  Quhais  prignant  sidis  wer  full  of  men  of  weir. 

'•  Sardanapall,  the  prince  efFeminat, 

"Fra  knichtlie  dedis  wes  degenerat ; 

"  Twinand  the  thredis  of  the  purpur  lint 

"  With  fingaris  soft,  amang  the  ladyis  sat; 

"  And  with  his  lust  couth  nocht  be  saciat, 

"  Quhill  of  his  fois  come  the  bitter  chnt. 

"  Quhat  nobill  men  and  ladyis  hes  bene  tint 

"  Quhen  thay  with  lustis  wer  intoxicat, 

"  To  schaw  at  lenth,  my  toung  suld  nevir  stint. 

"  Thairfore  Camil,  the  vailyeant  chevaleir, 
"  Quhen  he  the  GalUs  had  dantit  be  his  weir, 
"  Of  heritable  landis  wald  have  na  recompence ; 
"  For,  gif  his  barnis  and  his  freindis  deir 
"  Wer  virtewis,  thay  couth  nocht  fail  ilk  yeir 
"  To  have  ineuch  be  Romane  providence ; 


THE  PROHEME 

"  Gif  thay  wer  gevin  to  vice  and  insolence, 
"  It  wes  nocht  neidfull  for  to  conques  geir, 
"  To  be  occasioun  of  thair  incontinence. 

"  Sum  nobill  men,  as  poetis  list  declare, 
"  Wer  deifeit ;  sum  goddis  of  the  aire ; 
"  Sum  of  the  hevin :  as  Eolus,  Vulcan, 
"  Saturn,  Mercury,  Appollo,  Jupitare, 
"  Mars,  Hercules,  and  othir  men  preclare, 
"  That  glore  immortall  in  thair  livis  wan. 
"  Quhy  wer  thir  peple  caUit  goddis  than  ? 
"  Becaus  thay  had  ane  virtew  singulare, 
"  Excellent,  hie  abone  ingine  of  man. 

"  And  otheris  ar  in  reik  sulphurius; 

"  As  Ixion,  and  wery  Sisiphus, 

"  Eumenides  the  Furyis  richt  odibill, 

"  The  proud  giandis,  and  thristy  Tantalus ; 

"  With  huglie  drink,  and  fude  most  vennomus ; 

"  Quhare  flammis  bald  and  mirknes  ar  sensibill. 

"  Quhy  ar  thir  folk  in  panis  so  terribill  ? 

"  Becaus  thay  wer  bot  schrewis  vicius, 

"  Into  thair  life,  with  dedis  most  horribill. 

"  And  thoucht  na  frute  wer  eftir  consequent 
"  Of  mortall  life,  bot  for  this  warld  present 
"  Ilk  man  to  have  allanerlie  respect ; 
"  Yit  virtew  suld  fra  vice  be  different, 
"  As  quik  fra  deid,  as  riche  fra  indigent. 
"  That  ane,  to  glore  and  honour  ay  direct ; 
"  This  othu',  saule  and  body  to  neclect : 
"  That  ane,  of  reason  most  intelligent ; 
"  This  othir,  of  beistis  following  the  affect. 

"  For  he  that  nold  aganis  his  lustis  strive, 
"  Bot  leiffis  as  beist  of  knawlege  sensitive, 
"  Eildis  richt  fast,  and  deith  him  sone  ouir  halis. 


OF  THE  COSMOGRAPHE.  xv 

"  Thairfore  the  mule  is  of  ane  lan^ar  live 
"  Than  stonit  hors ;  also  the  barant  wive 
"  Apperis  young,  quhen  that  the  brudie  falis. 
"  We  se  also,  quhen  nature  nocht  prevails, 
"  The  pane  and  dolour  ar  sa  pungitive, 
"  No  medicine  the  pacient  avails. 

"  Sen  thow  hes  hard  baith  our  intentis  thus, 
"  Cheis  of  us  two  the  maist  dehtius : 
"  First  to  sustene  ane  scharp  adversite, 
"  Danting  the  rage  of  youtheid  furius ; 
"  An  sine  posseid  triumphe  innumerus, 
"  With  lang  empire,  and  hie  felicite : 
*'  Or  half,  ane  moment,  sensualite 
"  Of  fuliche  youth,  in  life  voluptuous ; 
"  And  all  thy  day  is  full  of  miserie/'' 

Be  than,  Phebus  his  firy  cart  did  wry 
Fra  south  to  west,  declinand  besaly 
To  dip  his  steidis  in  the  occeane ; 
Quhen  he  began  ouirsile  his  visage  dry, 
With  vapouris  thik,  and  cloudis  full  of  sky  ; 
And  Notus  brim  the  -svind  meridiane. 
With  \nngis  donk,  and  pennis  full  of  rane, 
Awalkenit  me ;  that  I  micht  nocht  aspy 
Quhilk  of  thaim  two  was  to  his  lady  tane. 

Bot  sone  I  knew  thay  war  the  Goddesses 
That  come  in  sleip  to  vailyeant  Hercules, 
Quhen  he  was  young,  and  fre  of  every  lore 
To  lust  or  honour,  poverte  or  riches ; 
Quhen  he  contempnit  lust  and  idilnes, 
That  he  in  virtew  micht  his  life  decore ; 
And  werkis  did  of  maist  excellent  glore. 
The  more  incressit  his  panefull  besines, 
His  hie  triumphe  and  loving  was  the  more. 


THE  PROHEME,  &c. 

Than,  throw  this  raorall  eruditioun 
Quhilk  come,  as  said  is,  in  my  visioun, 
I  tuke  purpos,  or  I  forthir  went, 
To  write  the  story  of  this  regioim, 
With  dedis  of  mony  illuster  campioun. 
And,  thoucht  the  pane  apperis  vehement, 
To  make  the  story  to  the  redaris  more  patent, 
I  will  begin  at  the  discriptioun 
Of  Albion,  in  maner  subsequent. 


FINIS. 


HEIR  BEGINNIS  THE  COSMOGRAPHE 


AND 


DISCRIPTION  OF  ALBION. 


How  all  thing'is  is  subdewit  to  alteratioun  and  deith  ;  and  na  thing 
permanent  in  the  erd. 

Thai  ST  nane  hes  sa  dirk  intelligence,  bot 
knawis  Cosmographie  maist  necessar  to  the 
knawlege  of  historyis ;  and  yit  to  discrive  the 
samin,  is  the  office  of  na  smal  ingine.  At- 
toure,  all  the  auctouris,  that  hes  writtin  apon 
the  discription  of  the  warld,  ar  patent  and 
knawin  to  ilk  regioun  and  pepill ;  aniang 
quhome  hes  bene  mony  crafty  and  resolut 
men,  schawing  mony  gret  thingis  above  ingine  of  men,  with  so  pro- 
found sentence,  that  the  samin  is  na  thing  different  fra  the  verite,  in 
discription  of  mony  uncouth  and  divers  thingis  succeding  continew- 
ally,  to  the  gret  commodite  and  pleseir  of  reders.  Yit  sen  the  mater 
that  thay  treit  is  not  solide  nor  permanent  in  the  samin  forme  and 
image  as  it  was  first  found,  apperis  baith  to  unletterit  pepil  and 
utheris  quhilkis  hes  na  sicht  to  the  continewal  alteration  of  materis, 
that  the  verite  is  not  schawin  to  thaim  in  al  partis.  And  sen  all 
thingis  quhilkis  ar  comprehendit  within  the  speir  of  the  mone,  ar  sa 
thirlit  to  deith  and  alteration,  that  thay  ar  othir  consumit  afore  us, 

VOL.  I.  c 


xviii  THE  COSMOGRAPHE  AND 

or  ellis  -vve  afore  thame ;  apperis  na  thing  mair  corruptible,  nor  vit  of 
mairalteratioun,  than  the  erd  and  situatioun  thairof ;  becaiis  it  changis 
sa  mony  figuris  be  lang  age  and  proces  of  yeris.  For  we  nocht  al- 
lanerly  may  se  presently  be  our  ene,  bot  findis  be  mony  crafty  and 
profound  historicianis,  that  quhare  sum  time  bene  maist  notable 
cietes,  or  maist  plentuous  lesuris  and  medois,  now,  throw  erdquaik 
and  trimbling,  or  ellis  be  continewall  inundation  of  watteris,  nocht 
remanis  bot  othir  the  huge  seis,  or  ellis  unproffitable  ground  and 
sandis.  Attoure  the  see,  be  alluvioun  and  pres  of  rageand  watters, 
cuniis  in  on  sum  landis  and  gangis  furth  on  utheris,  as  daily  occurris 
be  experience ;  for  baith  seis  and  watteris  gevis,  be  injust  merchis, 
als  mekle  to  sum  landis  as  thay  reif  fra  utheris.  Heirfore  I  belief, 
be  sindry  chances  and  lang  proces  of  time,  that  every  thing  sail  not 
be  respondent  to  the  samin  perfection  and  knawlege  as  it  was  dis- 
crivit  be  auld  cosmographouris,  in  the  figure  and  situation  of  the  erd. 
Thairfore  na  man  suld  have  admiration,  howbeit  recent  authouris 
discrive  the  warld  in  sum  uthir  figure  and  sort  than  it  hes  bene  dis- 
crivit  afore  be  Pomponius  !Mela,  Ptholome,  and  othir  auld  cosmo- 
graphouris ;  for  the  erd  is  now  mair  frequent  in  pepil  than  it  was  in 
tliay  dayis,  and  the  passage  in  al  cuntreis  mair  knawin ;  throw  quhilk 
the  situation  of  all  regionis,be  exact  and  scharp  deligence  of  authouris, 
is  the  mau-  patent.  Attoure,  gif  tliir  auld  cosmographouris  war  bot 
men  as  we  ar,  followis  na  admii'ation,  howbeit  thay  had  na  sicker 
cognosance  and  ful  erudition  of  al  thingis ;  and,  for  that  cans,  thay 
micht  not  A\Tit  forthu-  than  thay  saw  be  thair  awin  inquisition,  or 
ellis  be  experience  of  utheris  authouris  past  afore  thame.  For  thir 
reasonis,  we  think  it  litil  wrang  sum  times  nocht  to  follow  al  thair 
opinionis :  for  thay  had  not  knawlege  nor  experience  of  all  materis ; 
and,  thairfore,  we  dar  the  mair  baldly  writ  sum  thingis  for  the  com- 
mon proffet,  specially  concernyng  the  figure  and  situation  of  Scot- 
land, with  the  maneris  of  the  pepill  thairof,  in  sum  utliir  sort  than 
hes  bene  schawin  afore  be  uthir  autliouris :  for  we  have  not  onely 
sene  the  samvn,  bot  hes  knawlege  thairof  be  lang  experience  and 
use ;  throw  quhilk,  this  our  quhatsumevir  werk  sal  not  be  unprofi- 
tabil  nor  yit  unplesand  to  the  reders,  for  in  it  sal  be  schawin  the 
maneris  and  conditioun  of  the  pepill  of  Scotland,  with  the  situation 
thairof.     Attoure,  to  mak  the  reders  more  bowsum  and  attent,  we 


DISCRIPTION  OF  ALBION.  xix 

promit  faitlifullie  to  writ  na  thing  in  this  werk  bot  allanerhe  sik  thing 
as  bene  maist  patent  and  knawin  to  us,  othir  be  our  awin  exact  de- 
hgence  and  industrie,  or  ellis  be  rehers  of  otlieris  richt  trew  and 
faithful  auctouris ;  and,  thairfore,  gif  this  our  werk  be  found  pie- 
sand  to  the  reders,  we  sail  writ  sum  othir  tim  mair  largelie  of  othir 
materis,  baith  to  thair  eruditioun  and  pleseir. 


CJjap.  Second* 

The  Discriptioun  of  Albion,  and  quhy  it  wes  callit  with  that  Name. 
The  beginning  qfBritonis  and  Scottis. 

He  hail  He  of  Albion,  quhilk  contenis  baith  the  realmes 
of  Ingland  and  Scotland,  as  is  discrivit  be  the  Latine 
and  Greik  cosmographouris,  is  enveronid  on  every  side 
Avith  the  gret  occeane ;  havand  on  the  eist  side,  the  Al- 
mane  seis;  on  the  south  side,  the  Franche  and  Britane  seis ;  on  the 
west  side,  the  Ireland  seis ;  and  on  the  north  side,  the  Norroway  seis. 
This  He  is  extendit  be  lang  passage  fra  the  south-south-eist  to  the 
north-nor-west,  and  is  mair  extendit  to  the  lenth  than  breid,  nocht 
far  different  fra  the  figure  of  ane  triangle.  This  He,  be  auld  cosmo- 
graphouris, wes  callit  Albion,  and  remanis  yit  undir  the  samin  name. 
Sum  auctouris  sayis,  this  He  wes  callit  Albion,  ab  albis  montibus ; 
that  is  to  say,  fra  the  quhit  montanis  thairof,  full  of  calk :  Utheris 
allegis,  it  wes  callit  Albion,  fra  ane  lady  namit  Albyne ;  quhilk  his- 
tory is  nocht  unlik  the  fabulis  that  ar  writin  of  the  fiftie  douchteris 
of  Danaus,  King  of  Argives.  This  Albyne,  as  is  allegit,  with  hir 
fiftie  sisteris,  eftir  that  thay  had  slane  al  thair  husbandis,  pullit  up 
salis,  and  come  out  of  Grece  throw  the  seis  of  Hercules  to  Spanye ; 
and,  fra  Spanye,  come  throw  the  Franche  and  Almane  seis  but  ony 
impediment  to  the  said  He ;  and,  eftir  hir  arriving  in  the  samin, 
namit  it  Albion  fra  hir  name.  This  Albyne,  with  hir  fiftie  sisteris, 
eftir  thair  cuming  in  the  said  He,  conversit  with  devillis  in  forme  of 
men,  and  consavit  childrin  be  naturall  commixtion.     Thir  childrin 


XX  THE  COSMOGRAPHE  AND 

increscit  of  sa  huge  stature  and  pissance,  that  thay  wer  callit  be  the 
peple  giandis  ;  and  inhabit  the  said  regioun  continewalhe  to  the  time 
of  Brutus,  the  first  beginner  of  Britonis.  This  Brutus  wes  nepot, 
or  elUs  pronepot,  to  the  gret  Trojane  Eneas;  and,  becaus  he  wes 
exiht  and  banist  for  slauchter  and  othir  gret  offencis  done  be  him  in 
Itahe,  he  wes  constranit  to  depart  with  the  residew  of  Trojanis,  his 
fallois,  to  serche  sum  new  dwelhng.  Eftir  lang  travell  be  tempes- 
tious  and  storme  seis,  he  arrivit  in  Albion,  fra  the  beginning  of  the 
warld  MMMM.xxvii  yeris.  This  Brutus  and  his  fallowis,  eftir  thair 
cuming  in  Albioun,  invadit  the  giandis  afore  rehersit  with  sindry 
chancis  of  battall ;  and,  finahe,  brocht  thaim  to  sa  hie  rewine,  that 

-  baith  thair  landis  and  guddis  fell  in  pray  to  Brutus  and  his  fallowis  : 
and  sa  the  cuntre  wes  callit  Britane,  and  the  pepill  Britonis.  Bot 
the  beginning  of  Scottis  wes  in  ane  uthir  maner.  It  is  writtin  be 
our  anciant  historiographouris,  that  Gathelus,  ane  richt  illuster  and 
vailyeant  knicht,  discending  be  lang  progressioun  and  linage  of  the 
blud  riall  of  Grece,  maryit  Scota,  douchter  to  King  Pharo  of  Egipt ; 

"Sind,  thoucht  raony  riche  landis  fell  to  him,  with  gret  honouris  be 
singulare  manheid,  in  the  realme  of  Egipt,  yit  he  wes  so  astonist  be 
mony  terrible  and  grevus  plagis  appering,  be  prophecy  of  Moises, 
in  plane  eversioun  of  the  realme  and  peple  of  Egipt,  that  he  thoucht 
na  thing  sa  gud  nor  proffitable  as  to  be  maist  remote  and  distant 
thairfra.  Gathelus,  movit  for  thir  causis,  come  furth  of  the  mouth 
of  Nile,  with  his  wife,  his  freindis,  and  servandis,  Grekis  and  Egip- 
tianis,  throw  the  seis  Mediterrane;  and,  finalie,  brokin  with  lang 
and  incredible  danger  of  uncouth  chancis,  he  ai'rivit  in  the  north 
part  of  Spanye  :  and  to  conques  the  more  benevolence  of  his  wife, 
he  namit  his  pepill  Scottis,  eftir  hir  name.  Thair  vulgar  langage  wes 
calht  Gathelik.  Gathelus,  eftir  his  cuming  in  Spanye,  sent  ane  band 
of  weirmen  in  Ireland ;  quhilkis,  be  singulare  manheid  and  prudence, 
dantit  so  the  pepill  thairof,  that  thay  gat  the  hail  empire  of  the  said 
He,  and  rang  in  it  mony  yeris  eftir,  with  gret  honoure  and  glore  of 
armis. 


DISCRIPTION  OF  ALBION.  xxi 


How  the  Scottls  and  Pichtis  come  in  Alh'wwi.  Oftha'ir  sindry  Lhi- 
nage  and  Maneris  ;  aiid  how  the  said  He  was  inhabit  be  thre  sin- 
dry  Pepill. 


Othesay,  ane  of  the  kingis  sonnis  of  Ireland,  come, 
schort  yeris  eftlr,  with  ane  cumpany  of  young  and  har- 
dy pepill,  in  the  His  of  Albion ;  and,  becaus  he  fand 
the  samin  waist  and  nocht  inhabit  as  than  with  ony  em- 
pire of  Britonis,  he  sat  doun  with  his  remanent  fallowis,  wiffis,  and 
barnis,  in  the  said  His,  and  namit  thaim  Hebredes,  fra  the  name 
of  Hibernia,  or  ellis  fra  the  name  of  Hiber,  the  first  son  of  Gathelus. 
This  Rothesay  come  sone  eftir,  with  his  freindis  out  of  the  said  His, 
in  Albion ;  and,  sa  mekil  as  he  gat  possessioun  of,  he  callit  it  Scot- 
land. The  day  that  Scottis  come  first  in  Albion,  wes  fra  the  be- 
ginning of  the  warld  mmmm.dc.xvii  yeris.  Mony  yeris  eftir  thair 
cumming  in  Albion,  thay  wer  callit  Re-Albinis,  that  is  to  say,  Kingis 
of  Albioun ;  to  mak  thaim  sum  thing  different  fra  the  remanent 
kingis  that  inhabit  the  said  land  eftir  or  afore  thau-  cuming.  For- 
thir,  thoucht  the  Scottis,  be  thair  singulare  manheid  and  prudence, 
rang  continewallie  but  ony  interruption  baith  in  Spanye  and  Ire- 
land, yit  thair  name  is  perist  in  thai  partis ;  othir  be  thair  commix- 
tion  with  uncouth  blud,  or  ellis  be  roust  and  lang  proces  of  yeris ; 
throw  quhilk  remanis  na  Scottis  in  memory,  bot  thay  that  inhabitis 
the  last  boundis  of  Albion.  Attoure  the  Spanyeartis,  that  dwellis 
yit  in  the  montanis  and  uthir  desertis  of  Spanye,  knawis  na  thing  of 
the  Romane  weris ;  and  ar  litill  different  fra  Ireland  men,  baith  in 
thau-  maneris,  habit,  and  langage.  The  Britonis,  becaus  thay  wer 
mony  yeris  afore  us  in  Albioun,  occupyis  the  south  and  maist  plen- 
tuus  boundis  thairof :  and  we  inhabit  the  north  partis,  full  of  mon- 
tanis ;  quhilk  ar  nocht  sa  fertil  and  commodius  as  the  said  landis  oc- 
cupyit  be  Britonis.  Eftir  the  cuming  of  Scottis  and  Britonis  on  this 
maner  in  Albioun,  ane  uncouth  peple  namit  Pichtis,   uthirwayis 


xxii  THE  COSMOGRAPHE  AND 

naniit  Agathirsanis,  quhilkis  were  banist  out  of  Sarmathia,  come  in 
Denmark,  quhair  thay  sone  eftir  gat  schippis,  with  all  provisioun 
efFering  thairto ;  and,  eftir  thair  finall  arriving  in  Albioun,  thay  sat 
doun  in  the  waist  and  middil  boundis  betwix  Britonis  and  Scottis, 
and  maid  wid  marchis  betwix  baith  thair  realmes.  The  cuming  of 
Pichtis  in  Albioun  wes  eftir  the  cuming  of  Scottis  in  the  samin,  ccl 
yeris;  yit  amang  sum  authoviris  risis  ane  fuliche  dout,  quhidder  the 
Scottis  or  Pichtis  come  first  in  this  regioun.  Sum  of  thir  authouris 
allegis,  that  Rewther  wes  the  first  beginnar  of  Scottis  in  Albioun. 
Bot  this  opinioun  is  far  different  fra  the  treuth  of  our  historic ;  for 
five  Scottis  kingis  rang  continewallie,  ilk  ane  succeding  to  uthir,  afore 
P^wther ;  as  apperis  cleirlie  in  the  historie  follo^^ing.  And  sa  this 
He  of  Albioun  wes  inhabit,  fra  the  beginning  thairof,  A\dth  thre  sin- 
diy  pepill ;  that  is  to  say,  Britonis,  Scottis,  and  Pichtis.  The  first 
part  of  this  He,  becaus  it  Aves  inhabit  be  Brutus  and  his  posterite, 
wes  namit  Britane ;  the  secound  and  mid  part,  becaus  it  wes  inha^ 
bit  be  Pichtis,  wes  namit  Penthland;  and  the  remanent  boundis 
thairof  wer  inhabit  be  Scottis,  and  namit  Scotland.  Yit  the  Romane 
historicianis  and  Ptolome,  quhen  thay  treit  ony  thing  concerning 
this  He  of  Albioun,  callit  the  hail  ile,  Britane ;  and  all  the  peple  thair- 
of, Britonis.  Thir  thre  peple,  namit  all  under  ane  name  Albianis, 
inhabit  the  said  lie ;  yit  the  Romanis,  in  all  partis  quhare  thay  come 
within  this  Ile,  namit  the  peple  thairof  with  sindry  names :  for  thay 
namit  the  men  of  Walls,  Tegenianls,  fra  Tegenia ;  the  men  of  An- 
gus, Horrestianis,  fra  Horrestia ;  the  men  of  Cauder  and  Callender 
wod,  Cahdonianis,  fra  Calidonia ;  the  men  of  Galloway,  Brigandis, 
fra  Brigantia ;  as  apperis  be  Cornehus  Tacitus,  quhilk  wrltis,  that 
beyound  the  Britonis  dwellis  in  Allbion,  to  the  gret  north,  two  peple 
richt  different  fra  uther  in  maneris  and  nature ;  that  ane,  for  thair 
yallo  hair,  calHt  Pichtis,  discending  of  Albianis ;  and  this  uthir,  for 
thair  blak  and  curland  hair,  calHt  Scottis,  na  thing  different  fra 
Spanyeartis  in  nature  and  conditionis.  This  Ile,  m  our  dayis,  is  in- 
habit allanerlie  be  two  peple,  Inghsmen  and  Scottis  ;  the  south  partis 
ar  inhabit  be  Inglismen,  and  the  north  part  be  Scottis.  Now  have 
we  schawin  the  causis  quhy  the  Britonis  wer  calht  with  that  name, 
and  the  maner  of  thair  cumming  in  Albioun  ;  and  we  sail  schaw,  in 


DISCRIPTION  OF  ALBION.  xxiii 

the  end  of  this  cosmographie,  with  quhat  peple  the  realme  of  Britane 
hes  bene  inhabit  continewalHe,  unto  the  time  of  King  Hary  the  VIII., 
regnand  now  with  gret  feheite  abone  Inghsmen. 


The  Boundts  of  Albioun ;  with  the  sindry  Commoditeis  tliairgfin 
generaU.     Of  the  gnet  infirmiteis  that  fallis  to  the  Peple  tha\roJ\ 
for  thair  intemperance  ;  and  of  the  Religion  iisit  he  thaim  in  auld 
times. 

He  He  of  Albioun  contenis,  in  the  hail  circumference 
and  compas  circular,  mm  mihs ;  havand  in  lenth  dcc 
mills,  and  in  breid  cccl  miles ;  as  apperis  weill  be  the 
fute  thairof  fornence  the  Franche  seis.  And  fra  the 
fute  thairof'it  procedis  ay  the  more  small,  quhill  it  come  to  the  uter 
marchis  and  last  boundis  baith  of  Ingland  and  Scotland :  for  betwix 
the  Mule  of  Galloway,  fornence  the  Ireland  seis,  to  Sanct  Ebbis 
Held,  fornence  the  Almane  seis,  ar  skars  clx  mills  in  breid ;  and 
fra  thens  it  gaderis  ay  mair  small,  quhill  it  be  cumin  to  the  last  boundis 
thairof,  quhare  it  hes  skarslie  xxx  mills  in  breid.  It  is  ane  richt  pro- 
fitable He ;  full  of  peple ;  and  nocht  onlie  richt  plentuus  of  store  and 
bestiall,  bot  of  all  kind  of  cornis  in  every  boundis  thairof,  saiffing 
allanerlie  thay  boundis  quhair  God,  of  his  singulare  gudnes,  hes  or- 
danit  maist  riche  minis  of  gold,  silver,  tinne,  bras,  copper,  and  quik- 
silver,  wath  sic  fouth  and  aboundance  of  metallis,  that  the  samin  ar 
nocht  onlie  sufficient  for  all  maner  of  necessaris  to  the  peple  of  the 
said  He,  bot  ar  sufficient  to  all  uthir  oure  nichtbouris  that  dwellis 
about  us,  gif  our  peple  had  perfite  craft  and  Industrie  to  win  the  sa- 
min. Bot  the  superflew  aboundance  of  all  uthir  thingis  necessar  to 
the  use  of  man,  quhilk  nature  hes  producit  in  oure  regioun,  makis 
the  peple  the  les  industrius  and  crafty,  dehting  ay  mair  in  sleuth 
than  ony  exercitioun ;  for  beside  the  gret  fouth  of  gers,  cornis,  and 
bestiall  in  our  landis,  beside  the  gret  aboundance  of  fowlis  in  the  air, 
sa  gret  plente  is  of  fische  in  all  partis  of  our  seis,  specially  towart  the 


xxiv  THE  COSMOGRAPHE  AND 

north,  that  the  samin  is  sufficient  ineuch  to  nuris  all  our  peple,  how- 
beit  thair  wer  na  frutis  growand  on  oure  land ;  as  apperis  be  expe- 
rience :  for  all  landis  that  lyis  about  us,  as  France,  Flanderis,  Zeland, 
Holland,  and  mekill  of  Almany,  cumis  with  sindry  flotis,  sekand  fische 
yeirlie  in  our  seis ;  and  nocht  allanerlie,  be  thair  prudent  industry, 
winnis  fische  sufficient  to  sustene  thaimself,  bot,  be  generall  mar- 
chandice  of  thir  fische,  thay  sustene  the  peple  of  all  uthir  cuntreis ; 
passand,  in  the  time  of  Lentroun,  throw  the  seis  Mediterrane,  ay 
selland  thair  fische,  to  thair  gret  proffet  and  winning.  Mony  uthir 
riche  and  precius  thingis  ar  to  be  gottin  in  the  said  He,  haldin  in 
gret  delit  to  the  eist  peple  of  the  warld.  Quhat  may  be  said  of  our 
wol  ?  quhilk  is  sa  quhit  and  small,  that  the  samin  is  desirit  be  all 
peple,  and  coft  with  gret  price,  speciallie  with  marchandis  quhair  it 
is  best  knawin.  Of  this  woll  is  maid  the  fine  skarlettis,  with  mony 
uthii-  granit  and  deligat  clathis.  Heirfore  I  dar  baldlie  affirme,  gif 
the  Albianis  had  sic  grace  that  thay  micht  leif  with  concord  amang 
thaimself,  or  gif  thair  realmes,  be  ony  honest  way,  micht  cum  under 
the  empire  and  senyorie  of  ane  king ;  thay  micht  nocht  allanerlie  haif 
all  necessaris  within  thaimself,  uncoft;  bot,  with  small  difficultie, 
micht  dant  all  nichtbouris  and  cuntreis  Hand  thaim  about,  quhen  ony 
externe  or  uncouth  weris  hapnit  to  invaid  thaim.  Thay  have  sa 
elegant  stature,  sa  fair  and  lusty  bodyis,  that  na  uthir  peple  may  be 
preferrit  to  thaim.  Thay  ar  richt  ingenius  and  abill,  als  well  to  let- 
teris  as  uthir  virtewis  and  corporall  exercitioun  of  the  handis ;  richt 
hardy  and  reddy  to  all  jeoperdyis  baith  in  weir  and  peace,  in  sic 
maner  that  na  thing  may  be  difficill  to  thaim,  gif  thay  leiffit  tempe- 
ratlie.  Thairfore  the  provident  Beginnar  of  the  warld  hes  nocht  but 
gret  resoun  maid  thair  region  nakit  and  bair  of  winis ;  knawing,  be 
his  eterne  wisdome,  that  winis,  howbeit  the  samin  ar  richt  necessar 
to  all  uthir  peple,  ar  richt  skaithfull  to  the  nature  of  Albianis  :  for 
thay  ar  gevin  to  sic  unnaturall  voracite  and  desire  of  uncouth  metis 
and  drinkis,  that  thay  can  nocht  refrene  thaimself  fra  immoderat  ex- 
cesse,  as  apperis  weill  be  experience  ;  for,  throw  thair  crapulus  and 
schamfull  glutone,  thay  ar  strikin  oftimes  with  sa  dangerus  and  irre- 
mediable infirmiteis,  that  howbeit  thow  wer  accumpanit  with  thaim 
all  thair  tender  age,  thow  sail  find  thaim,  throw  thair  intemjierance 
and  surfet  diet,  sa  fowsumlie  growin  in  thair  mid  or  latter  age,  that 


DISCRIPTION  OF  ALBION.  xxv 

thay  sail  appeir  als  uncouth  to  thy  sicht  as  thow  had  nevir  knawin 
thaim  in  thair  tender  age ;  quhairthroAv  thay  sal  appeir  erar  misfas- 
sonit  monstouris  than  ony  naturall  peple.  Sindry  of  thaim,  throw 
surfet  diet,  growls  furius  in  thair  latter  age,  Avith  mony  soroAvfull 
maledeis  following  thaim ;  for,  as  the  proverbe  sayis,  sendill  ar  men 
of  gret  glutonie  sene  have  lang  dayis,  or  agit  with  proces  of  yeris, 
becaus  thair  excessive  and  intemperat  diet  consumis  al  the  substan- 
ciall  humouris  of  thair  bodyis.  Bot  we  wil  return  to  our  purpos. 
The  Albianis,  as  A^Titis  Cesar,  in  his  Commentaris,  and  Cornelius 
Tacitus,  wer  richt  religious,  eftir  the  rite  that  wes  in  thay  dayis ;  for 
in  thay  dayis  wer  the  preistis  of  Britane,  namit  Driades,  richt  ex- 
pert baith  in  naturall  and  morall  philosophic.  Be  thair  doctrine, 
come  the  first  sculis  of  thair  sect  and  opinion  in  France.  The  prin- 
cipall  sect  of  thir  preistis  wes  in  the  lie  of  IVIan,  quhilk  wes  in  that 
time  the  spectacle  and  fontane  of  all  honest  eruditioun  and  letteris ; 
and,  fra  thir  preistis  wer  anis  profest  in  Catholik  faith,  thay  perse- 
verit  with  gret  Constance  in  it,  but  ony  spot  of  herise. 


The  Discripticmn  of  Est ,  West,  and  Middill  Bordouris  of  Scotland ; 
with  the  maist  notable  Townis  and  Fludis  thairqf. 

He  Pichtis  had  sum  time  the  principall  and  maist  plen- 
teus  boundis  of  al  the  landis  that  ar  now  under  the  em- 
pire of  Scottis ;  eftir  that  thay  had  rongin  in  the  samin, 
M.CLi  yeris,  under  ane  blude,  amite,  and  freindschip  with 
Scottis;  concurrand  with  thaim  equalie  in  every  danger  and  jeoper- 
de  of  battall  aganis  the  Romanis  and  Britonis ;  and  sum  times  fecht- 
and  aganis  the  Scottis,  thair  aw  in  confiderat  freindis,  be  unprudence 
of  young  and  suspect  personis :  quhil  at  last,  be  outragius  and  exer- 
bitant  haitrent,  rais  sic  slauchter  and  murdir  on  all  sidis,  that  thay 
wer  l^rocht  to  uter  rewine,  and  doung  out  of  Albion,  be  the  weris  of 

VOL.   I.  D 


xxvi  THE  COSMOGRAPHE  AND 

Scottis.  And  thocht  the  Scottis  hes  bene  oftimes  brokin  with  maist  ter- 
rible and  dangerus  weris  of  mony  scharp  ennimes,  yit,  be  divine  be- 
nevolence, thay  fluris  hail  unto  thir  dayis,  and  hes  dantit  al  thair 
enninies.  Thir  commodites,  quhilkis  ar  now  schawin  generalie  of 
Albion,  ar  patent,  with  mony  uthir  singulare  prerogativis,  speciallie 
amang  the  Scottis  in  the  Hieland  :  for  the  peple  thairof  hes  na  re- 
pair with  marchandis  of  uncouth  realmes ;  and,  becaus  thay  ar  nocht 
corruppit,  nor  mingit  with  uncouth  blude,  thay  ar  the  more  Strang 
and  rude,  and  may  suffir  mair  hungir,  walking,  and  distres,  than 
ony  uthir  peple  of  Albion ;  maist  hardy  at  jeoperdyis ;  richt  agill 
and  deliver  of  bodyis;  richt  ingenius  to  every  new  inventioun; 
maist  sichty  in  craft  of  chevalrie ;  and  kepis  thair  faith  and  promes 
Avith  maist  severite  and  constance.  Scotland  hes  the  Mers,  quhilk 
wes  sum  time  the  maist  plenteus  regioun  of  Pichtis,  for  thair  marche, 
fornence  the  Almane  seis.  This  regioun,  sa  lang  as  it  wes  inhabit 
be  Pichtis,  wes  namit  Deere ;  and,  eftu*  the  expulsioun  of  Pichtis, 
it  wes  namit  the  Mers,  that  is  to  say,  the  marchis ;  for  the  Scottis, 
eftir  the  expulsioun  of  Pichtis,  ekit  thair  marchis  to  Tweid,  quliilk 
devides  Northumbirland  fra  the  Mers.  On  the  tothir  side,  sindry 
small  burnis  discendis  fra  the  hillis  of  Cheviot,  and  uthir  montanis 
hand  thair  about,  deviding  Qumbir  fra  Annandail,  and  fallis  in  the 
watter  of  Sulway.  This  watter  of  Sulway  rinnis  in  the  Ireland  seis, 
and  is  the  marche  of  Scotland,  fornence  the  west  bourdouris.  The 
hilhs  of  Cheviot,  fra  quhilk  springis  mony  small  burnis  on  ilk  side, 
raakis  the  middil  marche  of  Scotland.  The  Mers  hes  sindry  marchis 
at  sindry  partis  quhair  it  is  extendit.  Sum  time  it  hes  the  Almane 
seis ;  sum  time,  Eist  Loutliiane ;  sum  time,  Tweid ;  and  sum  time, 
Forth,  for  the  marchis.  Amang  mony  Strang  castellis  in  the  Mers 
is  the  town  and  castell  of  Berwik,  sum  time  namit  Ordolutium,  and 
the  inhabitantis  thairof  namit  Ordoluce.  Tweid  first  springis  fra 
ane  small  fontane,  and,  be  agmentation  of  uthir  watteris  that  fallis 
in  it,  it  discendis  with  braid  stremes  in  the  Ahnane  seis.  Beyound 
Tweid,  to  the  middill  marche  under  Cheviot,  lyis  Tevidale,  that  is 
to  say,  the  vale  of  Tyf.  Beyound  it  lyis  Esdail,  the  vale  of  Esk ; 
for  Esk  rinnis  throw  the  middis  thairof.  Fornens  Esdail,  on  the 
tothir  side,  lyis  Eusdail,  namit  fra  the  watter  of  Eus,  and  fallis  in 
the  watter  of  Annand  :  bot  Tyf  and  Esk  fallis  in  Tweid.     On  the 


DISCRIPTION  OF  ALBION.  xxvii 

tothir  side,  fornence  the  Ireland  seis,  lyis  Annandail,  fra  the  watter 
of  Annand.  It  marchis  sum  times  with  the  out  boundis  of  Nidis- 
dail,  quhair  all  thir  tlire  rivers  forsaid,  Eus,  Annand,  and  Sulway, 
discendis  togidder,  under  ane  streme,  in  the  Ireland  seis.  In  Annan- 
dail is  ane  loch  namit  Lochmaben,  five  mills  of  lenth,  and  foure  of 
breid,  full  of  uncoulh  fische.  Beside  this  loch  is  ane  castell,  under 
the  same  name,  maid  to  dant  the  incursion  of  thevis.  For  nocht  al- 
lanerlie  in  Annandail,  bot  in  all  the  dalis  afore  rehersit,  ar  mony 
Strang  and  wekit  thevis,  invading  the  cuntre  with  perpetuall  thift, 
reif,  and  slauchter,  quhen  thay  se  ony  trublus  time.  Thir  thevis, 
becaus  thay  have  Inglismen  thair  perpetuall  ennimes,  liand  dry 
marche  apon  thair  nixt  bordour,  invadis  Ingland  with  continewal 
weris,  or  ellis  with  quiet  thift ;  and  leiffis  ay  ane  pure  and  miserabill 
life.  In  the  time  of  peace,  thay  ar  so  accustomit  with  thift  that  thay 
can  nocht  desist,  bot  invadis  the  cvmtre,  (liowbeit  thay  ar  ay  misera- 
bihe  put  doun,)  with  itliand  heirschippis.  Mony  riche  and  plentuus 
boundis  of  Scotland  lyis  waist,  for  feir  of  thair  invasion.  Nocht  far 
fra  Sulway  ar  mony  sinkand  sandis,  sa  peiilus,  that  na  peple  may 
transport  thaim  self  throw  the  samin,  but  gret  difficulte  and  danger 
of  thair  livis.  This  vale  of  Annand  wes  sum  time  namit  Ordovitia, 
and  the  pepill  namit  Ordovices ;  quhais  cruelteis  wes  sa  gret,  that 
thay  abhorrit  nocht  to  eit  the  flesche  of  yoldin  prisoneris.  The  wivis 
usit  to  slay  thair  husbandis,  quhen  thay  wer  found  cowartis,  or  dis- 
comfist  be  thair  ennimes;  to  gif  occasioun  to  otheris  to  be  more 
bald  and  hardy  quhen  danger  occurrit :  Quhill  at  last  thay  wer  fina- 
lie  distroyit  be  the  weris  of  Romanis.  On  the  west  borduris,  to  the 
gret  north,  lyis  Nidisdail,  namit  fra  the  water  of  Nith.  It  beginnis 
with  ane  narow  and  strait  hals,  and  incressis  mair  braid,  quhair  it 
lyis  to  the  middil  marchis  of  Scotland.  In  Nidisdail  is  the  toun  of 
Dunfreis,  quhair  mony  small  and  dehgat  quhitis  ar  maid,  haldin  in 
gret  dainte  to  marchandis  of  uncouth  realmes. 


THE  COSMOGRAPHE  AND 


The  Discription  ofGalloxoay^  Kyle,  Carrik,  and  Cunninghame ;  zcith 
the  7iotahill  Tozmiis^  Lochis,  and  Revers  in  the  samin. 

Bone  Nidisdaill  is  Galloway,  namit  sum  time,  Bi'igantia, 
and  the  peple  tliairof  namit  Brigandis.  This  region  is 
devidit  be  the  watter  of  Cre  in  two  partis :  the  part  that 
lyis  nerest  to  Nidisdaill,  is  callit  Nethir  Galloway ;  the 
tothir  part,  that  lyis  abone  Cre,  is  callit  Uvir  Galloway.  In  Nethir 
Galloway  is  Kirkcoubrie,  ane  riche  toun,  full  of  marchandice.  In 
Uver  Galloway  is  the  abbay  of  Quhittern,  dedicat  to  the  haly  bischop 
Sanct  Niniane ;  quhair  his  blissit  body  restis  in  gret  veneratioun  of 
peple.  Abone  Quhittern  is  the  toun  of  Wigtoun;  and  nocht  far 
fra  it,  is  the  loch  of  Myrtoun.  The  half  of  this  loch  fresis  be  na- 
tnrall  congelatioun,  as  utheris  lochis  dois ;  the  tothir  half  fresis  nevir. 
In  Galloway  ar  two  uthir  lochis,  Salset  and  Newtramen,  of  sik  hke 
lenth  and  breid  as  Loch  Myrtoun.  Galloway  rinnis,  with  ane  gret 
snout  of  craggis,  be  lang  passage,  in  the  Ireland  seis.  This  snout  is 
calht  be  the  peple,  the  Mulis  Nuk ;  and,  be  the  crukin  of  it  in  the 
seis,  it  makis  two  gret  lochis,  namit  be  the  pepil.  Loch  Reane,  and 
Lowis.  Sum  of  thir  lochis  ar  xxx,  and  sum  xvi,  milis  of  lenth. 
Thay  ar  baith  ful  of  ostreis,  hering,  congir  elhs,  mussillis,  and  coklis, 
with  mony  uthir  fische.  Sum  men  haldis,  that  Brigance  wes  the 
samin  regioun  of  Ingland  that  is  now  callit  Walls,  quhair  the  Bri- 
tonis  leiffit  mony  yens  eftir  that  thay  wer  doung  out  of  Britane :  bot 
this  opinion  is  vane ;  for  the  Romane  auctouris  sayis,  the  He  of  Man 
lyis  fornence  Brigance,  and  is  mid  passage  betwix  it  and  Ireland,  as 
yit  apperis  be  experience.  And  howbeit  the  brayis,  be  alluvioun 
and  flux  of  seis,  ar  worne,  and  mair  distant  fra  uthir  than  thay  wer 
afore,  yit  the  samin  latitude  and  elevatioun  of  the  pole  that  Ptolome 
assignis  to  Brigance,  correspondis  weil  to  the  elevatioun  of  the  pole 
abone  Galloway,  quhilk  is  distant  and  severit  be  lang  jurnay  fra 
Walls ;  for  the  He  of  Man  lyis  thre  hundreth  milis  fra  WaUs,  in  the 


DISCRIPTION  OF  ALBION.  xxix 

sicht  of  Galloway.  Attoure,  be  testimoniall  of  sindry  auctouris,  we 
say,  that  out  of  Brigance,  the  toun  of  Spanye  quhilk  is  now  namit 
Conipostella,  come  ane  new  cumpany  of  peple  in  Ireland,  and  wer 
namit  Spanyeartis ;  and  out  of  Ireland  come  ane  gret  cumpany  of 
the  same  pepill,  with  King  Fergus,  in  Albioun ;  and,  in  remembrance 
of  the  ciete  of  Brigance,  quhilk  wes  sum  time  be  thaim  inhabit  in 
Spanye,  thai  war  all  callit  Brigandis.  To  this  opinion  applaudis 
Cornelius  Tacitus,  saying,  the  Brigandis  wer  discendit  of  the  Span- 
yeartis, and  dwellis  in  the  remot  and  last  boundis  of  Britane ;  for 
he  callis  Britane  the  hail  He  of  Albioun.  Thir  regionis  afore  re- 
hersit,  that  is  to  say,  Annandail,  Nidisdail,  and  Galloway,  nocht 
allanerlie  aboundis  in  fine  woll  and  store  of  bestiall,  bot  ar  richt  prof- 
fitable  in  all  maner  of  cornis,  except  quhiet.  Abone  Galloway  is  Car- 
rik,  ane  part  of  Silurie ;  for  Silurie  is  devidit  in  thre  partis,  that  is 
to  say,  Carrik,  Kyle,  and  Cunninghame.  In  Carrik  wes  sum  time 
ane  riche  ciete  under  the  same  name ;  quhais  minus  walhs  schaAvds 
the  gret  magnificence  thairof.  In  this  cuntre  ar  mony  Strang  cas- 
tellis,  richt  strenthy  baith  be  nature  and  craft  of  men.  In  this  re- 
gion ar  mony  fair  ky  and  oxin,  of  quhilk  the  flesche  is  richt  delicius 
and  tender ;  the  talloun  of  thair  wambis  is  sa  sappy,  that  it  fresis 
nevir,  bot  flowis  ay,  be  nature  of  the  self,  in  maner  of  oulie.  Be- 
yound  Carrik  is  Kyle,  namit  fra  Coyll,  King  of  Britonis,  quhilk  wes 
slane  in  the  said  regioun.  In  Kyle  is  ane  stane,  nocht  xii  milis  fra 
the  toun  of  Air,  xxx  fut  of  hicht,  and  thre  ellis  of  breid,  callit  be  the 
peple  the  Deif  Stane ;  for  quhen  ane  man  is  at  the  fut  of  it,  he  may 
nothir  heir  quhat  is  said  nor  done  on  the  tothir  side,  howbeit  ane 
cannon  wer  schot  at  it ;  nochtheles,  ay  the  more  he  standis  a  di'eich 
fra  it,  he  heris  ay  the  better.  Nixt  Kyle  is  Cunninghame,  the  thrid 
part  of  Silurie;  quhais  peple  wer  maist  noisum  to  Romanis.  In 
Kyle  is  ane  loch  namit  Doune,  fra  quhilk  discendis  the  watter  under 
the  same  name,  and  rinnis  in  the  Ireland  seis.  In  Cunninghame  is 
ane  loch  namit  Garnoth,  nocht  unhke  to  Loch  Doun,  full  of  fische ; 
and  nocht  far  fra  it  is  the  toun  of  Largis,  quhare  sum  time  faucht 
King  Alexander  the  Thrid,  with  gret  glore  of  victorie,  aganis  the 
Danis. 


XXX  THE  COSMOGRAPHE  AND 


The  Discription  of  Renfrew^  Clyddisdail,  Lennox,  Lowmond,Argyle, 
Louchquhahir,  Lome,  and  Kmtyre ;  with  all  7iotabiU  thing'is  con- 
tenit  in  the  same. 


He  waiter  of  Clyde  devides  the  Lennox,  on  the  north  side, 
fra  the  barony  of  Renfrew ;  and  risis  out  of  the  samin 
montane  within  the  wod  of  Cahdone,  fra  quhilk  risis 
Annand ;  and  discendis  with  lang  passage  in  the  Ireland 
seis.  Not  far  fra  the  fontanis  of  Clyde  springis  the  fontanis  of 
Forth,  quhilk  discendis,  with  ample  and  braid  boundis,  in  the  Al- 
mane  seis.  On  the  tothir  side,  the  watter  of  Clyde,  eftir  that  it  hes 
roun  lang  towart  the  north,  crukis  ay  inwart,  quhill  it  come  to  the  mon- 
tanis  of  Granyebane ;  sine  discendis  Avith  lang  passage  to  the  sovith, 
quhill  it  fall  in  the  Ireland  seis.  The  cuntre,  quhair  it  rinnis,  is  callit 
Clydisdail.  Betwix  Clyde  and  Lennox  lyis  the  baronie  of  Renfrew ; 
in  the  quhilk  ar  twa  lochis,  nan  lit  Quhynsouth  and  Leboth,  sum  xx 
and  sum  xii  mills  of  lenth,  richt  plentuus  and  full  of  fische.  Abone 
Renfrew,  to  the  Occeane  seis,  lyis  the  Lennox,  namit,  be  Ptolome, 
Lelgonia ;  in  quhilk  is  ane  gret  loch  namit  Lochmond,  xxiv  mills  of 
lenth,  and  viii  mills  of  breid.  Within  this  loch  ar  xxx  His,  well  big- 
git  with  kirkis,  temphs,  and  housis :  and  in  this  loch  ar  thre  notable 
thingis ;  fische  swomand  but  ony  fin ;  ane  richt  dangerus  and  storrae 
wal,  but  ony  wind ;  and  ane  He  that  fletis  heir  and  thair  as  the  wind 
servis.  This  loch  standis  at  the  fute  of  the  montanis  of  Granyebene, 
quhilkis  wer  sum  time  the  gret  marchis  betwix  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis, 
and  gangis  fra  Lochlowmond  to  the  mouth  of  Dee.  The  Pichtis 
had  na  landis  beyound  the  montanis  of  Granyebene,  nor  yit  hand 
to  the  Ireland  seis ;  for  thir  boundis  wer  ay  inhabit  be  Scottis.  Viii 
mills  fra  Lochlowmond  is  the  castell  of  Dunbritane,  namit  sum  time, 
Alcleuch ;  quhair  the  watter  of  Levin  fallis  in  Clyde.  Beyound  Loch- 
lowmond is  Argyle,  ane  cuntre  ful  of  rochis,  craggis,  and  montanis. 


DISCRIPTION  OF  ALBION.  xxxi 

In  it  ar  twa  lochis,  Lochfine  and  Lochquho.  The  land  is  devidit 
in  thre  partis ;  the  land  that  lyis  in  middis  thairof  is  callit  Knapdail. 
In  Lochfine  is  mair  plente  of  hering  than  is  in  ony  seis  of  Albion. 
In  Lochquho  ar  mony  fische,  sik  as  leiffis  on  fresch  watter.  In  Ar- 
gyle  ar  twa  castellis,  Glennunquhart  and  Enconell ;  and  in  it  ar  xii 
His  :  hot  thay  ar  mair  proffi table  in  store  of  bestial,  than  ony  cornis. 
In  Argyle  ar  mony  riche  minis,  full  of  metall ;  bot  ye  pepill  thairof 
hes  na  craft  nor  industry  to  win  the  samin.  It  is  said,  in  this  cun- 
tre  is  ane  stane  of  sic  nature,  that  it  kendlis  cauld  stra,  or  hardis  in 
fire,  quhen  it  is  involvit  thairwith.  In  Argyle  ar  vii  uthir  lochis ; 
sum  XXX  milis  in  lenth  and  breid,  and  sum  les.  It  wes  said  be  Schir 
Duncane  Campbell  to  us,  that  out  of  Garloll,  ane  loch  of  Argyle, 
the  yeir  of  God  m.dx  yeris,  come  ane  terrible  beist,  als  mekil  as  ane 
grew-hound,  futit  lik  ane  ganar,  and  straik  doun  gret  treis  with  the 
dint  of  hir  tail;  and  slew  thre  men  quhilkis  wer  at  thair  hountis 
with  thre  straikis  of  hir  tail :  and  wer  not  the  remanent  huntaris  clam 
up  in  Strang  aikis,  thay  had  bene  all  slane  in  the  samin  maner.  Ef- 
tir  the  slauchter  of  thir  men,  scho  fled  speidlie  to  the  loch.  Sindry 
prudent  men  belevit  gret  trubill  to  follow  in  Scotland,  be  appering 
of  this  beist ;  for  scho  was  sene  afore,  and  ay  trubil  following  thair- 
efter.  Marcheand  with  Argyle  lyis  Lorn,  quhilk  wes  sum  time  bot 
ane  part  thairof;  for  it  lyis  in  maner  of  ane  toung  within  the  Ire- 
land seis,  with  ane  lang  hals,  lx  milis  of  lenth  and  breid.  This  toung, 
that  rinnis  sa  far  within  the  seis,  wes  sum  time  namit  Novantia ;  bot 
now  is  it  callit  Kintyre,  that  is  to  say,  the  Heid  of  Lorn.  The  out- 
maist  part  of  this  toung  is  not  xvi  milis  fra  Ireland.  Sum  auctouris 
.sayis,  baith  Argyle  and  Kintyre  wer  namit  Novantia ;  for  Ptolonie 
makis  na  mention  of  Argyle  in  his  cosmographie.  In  Lorn  growis 
beir  with  gret  plente.  Beyound  Lome  is  Lochquhabir,  quhilk  wes 
sum  time  ane  part  of  Murrayland.  It  is  full  of  minis,  sic  as  irne  and 
leid,  and  richt  proflitabill  in  store  of  bestiall.  In  it  ar  mony  woddis, 
lochis,  and  rivers,  full  of  salmond  and  uthir  fische,  swomand  sa  plen- 
teuslie,  that  the  samin  is  tane  but  ony  craft.  The  principal!  rivers 
of  Lochquhabir  ar  Lochtie  and  Spanye ;  howbeit  the  cause  thairof 
be  uncertane.  Lochtie  risis  nocht  viii  milis  fra  Lochness,  and  falhs, 
under  the  same  name,  in  the  Almane  seis.  Beside  it  is  ane  roche 
crag,  dippand  with  ane  lang  hals  in  the  seis,  namit  Hardnomorth. 


xxxii  THE  COSMOGRAPHE  AND 

Tn  the  mouth  of  Lochtie  wes  ane  riche  toim  namit  Inverlochtie, 
quhair  sum  time  wes  gret  change,  be  repair  of  uncouth  marchandis ; 
quhill  at  last  it  wes  sa  uterhe  destroyit  be  weris  of  Danis,  that  it 
come  nevir  to  the  honour  and  magnificence  as  it  had  afore:  and 
quhiddir  the  samin  procedis  be  sleuth  of  our  pepill,  or  be  invy  of 
limmers,  quhilkis  may  suffir  na  wallit  tounis  in  this  cuntre,  it  is  un- 
certane.  Beyound  Lochtie  is  the  castell  of  Dunstafage,  sum  time 
namit  Evonium.  Beyound  Dunstafage  is  the  mouth  of  the  watter 
of  Spanye,  quhair  it  fallis  in  the  Almane  seis. 


The  Discription  o/Ros,  Stranavern,  and  Murrmjland ;  with  the 
Louchh,  Fludis,  and  Notable  Toicnis  thairqf. 

Eyound  the  watter  of  Spanye  lyis  Ros,  sum  time  namit 
Luffia :  risino;  with  ane  strait  narow  hals,  and  thaireftir 
is  cassin  furth,  with  mair  braid  lesuris,  valis,  and  mon- 
tanis ;  circuht,  baith  on  the  ta  syde  and  the  tothir,  with 
the  occeane.  This  cuntre,  quhair  it  lyis  maist  approchand  to  the 
Ireland  seis,  hes  richt  difficill  passage,  and  ganis  mair  for  store  of 
bestiall  than  ony  habitatioun  of  man.  It  is  best  manurit  fomence  the 
Almane  seis :  richt  plentuus  baith  of  gers  and  corn ;  for  thir  hailsum 
valis,  quhare  the  rivers  discendis,  makis  the  herbis  richt  delicius 
and  nurisand.  In  Ros  ar  sindry  lochis,  bot  Lochbroun  is  maist. 
Mony  rivers  ar  in  Ros,  full  of  fische.  In  Ros  is  Cromarte,  ane  firth 
and  sicker  port  to  all  shippis,  to  saif  thame  fra  danger  of  tempest, 
namit  be  the  peple,  the  Heil  of  Schipmen.  In  Ros  is  the  toun  of 
Thane,  quhair  the  bUssit  banis  of  Sanct  Dutho  restis  in  gret  vene- 
ratioun  of  peple.  In  ane  vale  of  Ros  ar  twa  housis,  round  in  forme 
of  ane  bell ;  and  ar  saiffit  to  our  dayis  in  memory  of  sum  antiquiteis 
of  our  eldaris.  Merchand  with  Ros  lyis  Stranavern,  the  outmaist 
boundis  of  Scotland ;  of  quhilk  the  se  cost  ]yis  north-north-west, 
and  crukis  in  agane  sum  time  fornens  the  Almane  seis,  havand  for- 


DISCRIPTION  OF  ALBION.  xxxiii 

nens  it,  on  the  gret  north,  Cathnes;  on  the  gret  eist,  Sutherland; 
on  the  gret  south,  Ros ;  and,  on  the  gret  west,  the  north-nor-west 
seis.     Thre  gret  craggis  lyis  on  the  outmaist  side  of  Stranavern, 
namit  Hoy,  Howbroun,  and  Downisbie ;  and  becaus  thir  thre  rochis 
schutis  far  in  the  see,  thay  mak  twa  gret  firthis  and  lochis,  severit 
fra  uthir.     Merchand  with  Cathnes  lyis  Sutherland,  ane  profitable 
cuntre  baith  for  store  and  comis.    On  the  yond  side  of  it  lyis  Mur- 
ray, sum  time  namit  Vararis.    Bot  it  hes  nocht  the  samin  marchis 
now  as  it  had  than ;  for  all  the  boundis  betwix  Spay  and  Xes  to  the 
Ireland  seis,  wer  namit  Murray :  bot  now  it  lyis  sum  time  beyound 
the  watter  of  Spay  and  Kissok,  quhil  it  cum  to  the  Ireland  seis. 
Betwix  Ros  and  Murray,  the  land  crukis  in  with  ane  gret  discens 
and  vale,  in  quhilk  falhs  five  rivers,  Nes,  Nardyn,  Findorn,  Los, 
and  Spay.     Spay  rinnis  with  sa  feirs  and  violent  streme,  that  the 
see  tide,  quhen  it  cumis  in  maist  swiftlie,  may  nocht  resist  the  violent 
discens  and  streme  of  this  watter,  bot  is,  with  the  preis  and  streme 
thairof,  born  doun  per  force  to  the  seis.     Nes  risis  fra  ane  loch  un- 
der the  same  name,  nocht  viii  mills  fra  the  samin  loch  that  Lochtie 
cumis  fra,  and  rinnis  in  the  Ireland  seis.    Nothir  fresis  the  water  of 
Lochtie,  nor  yit  the  loch  that  it  cumis  fra,  in  ony  storme  of  winter ; 
and,  to  the  greter  admiratioun,  ony  frosin  thing  that  is  cassin  in  it, 
meltis  and  resolvis  hastelie :  it  is,  thairfore,  richt  proffitable  to  al 
frosin  beistis.     In  the  mouth  of  Nes  standis  the  toun  of  Inner  nes ; 
quhare  sum  time  wes  gret  plente  and  tak  of  herying,  howbeit  thay 
be  now  evanist,  for  offence  that  is  maid  aganis  sum  Sanct.     Treuth 
is,  quhen  ony  avaricius  and  unhappy  men  fechtis  for  the  fische  that 
God  sendis,  be  his  infinit  gudnes,  to  the  sustentatioun  of  the  peple, 
and  diffoulis  the  see  be  thair  blude ;  mony  yeris  eftir,  na  fische  swomis 
in  that  place.     Beside  Lochnes,  quhilk  is  xxiv  mills  of  lenth,  and 
XII  of  breid,  ar  mony  wild  hors;  and,  amang  thame,  ar  mony  mar- 
trikis,  bevers,  quhitredis,  and  toddis ;  the  furringis  and  skinnis  of 
thaim  ar  coft  with  gret  price  amang  uncouth  marchandis.    In  ]Mur- 
ray  is  nocht  allanerlie  gret  aboundance  and  fouth  of  quheit,  lieir, 
aitis,  and  siclik  comis,  with  gret  plente  of  nutis  and  appillis,  bot  in 
it  ar  gret  fouth  of  fische,  and  speciallie  salmond.     In  this  cuntre  is 
ane  uncouth  maner  of  fisching :  for  the  peple  makis  ane  lang  mand, 

VOL.  I.  E 


xxxiv  THE  COSMOGRAPHE  AND 

narow  halsit,  and  wyid  mouthit,  with  mony  stobis  inouth,  maid  vnth 
sik  craft,  that  the  fische  thrawis  thameself  in  it,  and  can  nocht  get 
furth  agane ;  and  als  sone  as  the  see  ebbis,  the  fische  ar  tane  dry  in 
the  crehs.  In  Murray  is  ane  loch  namit  Spynee,  quhair  gret  plente 
is  of  swannis.  The  cause  quhy  the  swannis  muhiplyis  sa  fast  in  this 
loch,  is  throw  ane  herbe  namit  Olour,  quhilk  burgeonis  with  gret  fer- 
tilite  in  the  said  loch,  and  the  seid  of  it  is  richt  nurisand  and  deli- 
cius  to  swannis.  This  herbe  is  sa  brudy,  that  quhair  it  is  anis  sawin 
or  plantit,  it  can  nevir  be  distroyit ;  as  may  be  provin  be  experience  : 
for,  thoucht  this  loch  be  v.  milis  lang,  and  wes  sum  time,  as  the  me- 
morie  of  man  yit  beris,  full  of  salmond  and  uthir  gret  fische,  yit,  fra 
this  herbe  began  to  burgeon  in  it,  the  watter  is  growin  sa  schauld, 
that  ane  man  may  waid  throw  the  maist  partis  thairof ;  and,  thair- 
fore,  all  maner  of  gret  fische  is  quit  evanist  out  of  it.  In  Murray 
land  is  the  Kirk  of  Pette,  quliare  the  banis  of  Litill  Johne  remanis, 
in  gret  admiratioun  of  pepill.  He  hes  bene  fourtene  fut  of  hicht, 
with  square  membris  eft'ering  thairto.  Vi  yeris  afore  the  cvmiing  of 
this  werk  to  licht,  we  saw  his  hanche  bane,  als  mekill  as  the  haill 
bane  of  ane  man ;  for  we  schot  our  arme  in  the  mouth  thairof :  be 
quhilk  apperis  how  Strang  and  square  pepill  grew  in  our  regioun, 
afore  thay  wer  effeminat  with  lust  and  intemperance  of  mouth.  In 
Murray  is  the  toun  of  Elgin,  nocht  far  fra  the  mouth  of  Spay ;  in 
quhilk  is  the  nobill  cathedrall  kirk  of  Murray,  decorit  richelie  with 
the  college  of  Channonis.  Sindry  riche  abbayis  ar  in  JMurray :  as 
Killos,  of  the  ordoure  of  Cestuus ;  and  Pluscardie,  of  the  ordoure 
Clunacensis. 


DISCRIPTION  OF  ALBION. 


The  Discriptioiin  of  Boene,  Anye,  Buchguhane,  Mar,  Mernis,  Fife, 
and  Angus ;  with  the  Lochis,  Fludis,  Abbai/is,  Tounis,  and  uthir 
notable  thingis  thairqf. 

Archeand  wdth  Murray,  lyis  Boene  and  Anye ;  twa 
plentuus  regionis  in  store  of  bestiall,  Hand,  with  ample 
and  roume  boundis,  to  the  seis.  Thir  regionis  ar  full  of 
scheip  and  nolt,  for  the  sindry  lesuris  and  woddis  in  the 
samul ;  and  throw  the  middis  thairof  rinnis  the  watter  of  Dovern. 
In  the  mouth  of  this  watter  standis  the  toun  of  Bamf.  Under  thir 
two  regionis  afore  namit,  lyis  Buchquhane,  ane  proffi  table  land  for 
scheip ;  for  it  passis  all  cuntreis,  hand  about  it,  in  riches  of  quhit 
and  dehgat  wolL  Mony  watteris  ar  in  Buchquhane ;  all  full  of  sal- 
mond,  except  Rattra,  in  quhilkis  ar  nane.  In  Buchquhane  is  the 
castell  of  Slanis,  the  Constabhs  hous,  of  Scotland :  beside  quhilk  is 
ane  mervellus  cove ;  for  the  watter  that  droppis  in  it,  growis,  with- 
in schort  time,  in  maner  of  ane  hard  quhit  stane ;  and,  wer  nocht 
the  cove  is  oft  temit,  it  wald  be  filht  sone  with  stanis.  Na  rattonis 
ar  sene  in  this  cuntre ;  and,  als  sone  as  thay  ar  brocht  thair,  thay  de. 
In  Buchquhane  growis  aitis  but  ony  tilth  or  seid.  Quhen  die  peple 
passis  with  set  purpos  to  scheir  thir  aitis,  thay  find  nocht  but  tume 
hulhs ;  yit  quhen  thay  pas  but  ony  premiditatioun,  thay  find  thir 
aitis  ful  and  weil  ripit.  Thir  thingis  cumis  nocht  be  nature,  but  erar 
be  illusioun  of  devillis,  to  the  dissait  of  blind  and  supersticius  pepill. 
Under  Buchquhane  lyis  Mar ;  ane  plentuus  region  in  store  of  bes- 
stiall,  Lx  mills  in  lenth  and  breid,  fra  the  Almane  seis  to  Badyenoch. 
In  it  is  the  ciete  of  Abirdene,  the  bischoppis  seit ;  with  generall  Uni- 
versite,  flurising  in  all  science ;  and  wes  foundit,  be  the  nobill  Bischop 
William  Elphinstoun,  with  ane  riche  and  magnificent  college.  This 
ciete  lyis  betwix  two  riche  rivers.  Done  and  Dee ;  in  quhilkis  ar 
mair  fouth  of  salmond,  than  in  ony  part  of  Albioun.  Maixhand 
with  Mar  lyis  the  Mernis,  to  the  see ;  ane  riche  cuntre  for  store  of 


xxxvi  THE  COSMOGRAPHE  AND 

bestiall :  in  it  is  Dunnothir,  the  Marschel  of  Scotlandis  hous.  In  the 
INIernis  is  the  toun  of  Fordoun ;  quhare  the  bhssit  banis  of  Sanct 
Paladie  restis,  in  gret  veneratioun  of  peple.  On  the  out-marchis  of 
INIernis  rinnis  the  watter  of  Esk,  uthirwayis  namit  Northesk  ;  ane 
dangerus  watter,  quhare  mony  passingeris  perisis  for  fait  of  ane  brig. 
Bordorand  with  the  Mernis  lyis  Angus  ;  quhilk  was  sum  time  ane 
part  of  Horrestia,  and  is  dividit  with  thre  rivers,  Northesk,  Soutli- 
esk,  and  Tay.  In  Angus  is  ane  hie  montane,  dippand  in  the  Al- 
mane  seis,  calht  the  Reid  Brayis.  Tay  risis,  far  beyond  the  montanis 
of  Granyebene,  fra  Loch  Tay,  quhilk  is  xxiv  mills  of  lenth,  and  x 
mills  of  breid ;  and  discendis,  with  gret  plente  of  fische,  quhill  it  cum 
in  the  Almane  seis,  beside  Dunde,  the  toun  quhair  Ave  wer  born ; 
quhair  mony  virtewus  and  lauborius  pepill  ar  in,  making  of  claith. 
In  Angus  ar  mony  uthir  gud  townis,  as  Montroys,  Brechin,  and 
Forfair ;  with  sa  gret  noinner  of  castellis,  that  it  wer  ouir  tedius  lau- 
bour  to  writ  thaim  all.  In  Angus  ar  mony  lochis,  full  of  fisclie  : 
and  in  it  ar  mony  abbayis ;  as  Resteneth,  of  Channons  regulare,  ef- 
tir  the  ordour  of  Augustine ;  Aberbrothak,  and  Coupar :  the  first, 
of  the  ordour  of  Turoncn  ;  and  the  nixt,  of  the  ordour  of  CistuUvS. 
In  the  vale  of  Esk  is  sa  quhit  and  small  wol,  that  it  hes  na  compair 
in  Albioun.  Beside  Tay  is  Fiffe,  sum  time  ane  part  of  Octolyne. 
In  it  growls  all  maner  of  cornis,  with  als  gret  plente  as  dois  in  ony 
part  of  Albioun ;  and,  quhare  na  cornis  ar,  it  is  richt  proffitable  in 
store  of  bestial.  In  Fiffe  ar  won  blak  stanis,  quhilk  hes  sa  intolle- 
rable  heit,  quhen  thay  ar  kendillit,  that  thay  resolve  and  meltis  irne, 
and  ar  thairfore  richt  proffitable  for  operatitm  of  smithis.  This  kind 
of  blak  stanis  ar  won  in  na  part  of  Albion,  bot  allanerlie  betwix  Tay 
and  Tyne.  In  Fiffb  is  maid  gret  plente  of  quhit  salt.  In  Fiffe  ar 
mony  noble  townis;  as  Sanct  Androis,  the  archebischopis  seit  of 
Scotland,  Kirkcawde,  Disart,  Kingorne,  Cowpar,  and  Dunferme- 
ling ;  quhare  ane  riche  abbay  is  decorit  Avith  generall  sepulturis  of 
kingis.  Mony  uthir  abbayis  ar  in  Fiffe,  dedicat  to  the  Blissit  Vir- 
gine ;  as  Culros,  Bawmerinoch,  Petmoyg,  and  PettinAveme.  In 
Fiffe  ar  sindry  lochis ;  as  Loch  Torre,  LochleA'in.  In  Lochlevin  is 
ane  castell,  Avith  mony  ills ;  and  in  ane  of  thaim  is  the  kirk  of  Sanct 
Phillane.  Fiffe  is  devidit  fra  Louthiane  be  the  reveir  of  Forth, 
quhilk  rinnis,  Avith  ane  braid  firth,  in  the  Almane  seis.     This  firth 


DISCRIPTION-  OF  ALBION.  xxxvii 

is  richt  plentuus  of  coclis,  osteris,  miischellis,  selch,  pellok,  nier- 
swine,  and  quhalis ;  with  gret  plente  of  quhit  fische.  Amang  iiiony 
uthir  ills  in  this  firth  is  the  lie  of  May,  decorit  with  the  bhide  and 
martirdome  of  Sanct  Adriane  and  his  fallowis.  In  the  niiddis  of 
this  lie,  springis  ane  fontane  of  fresche  and  purifyit  watter  outhrow 
ane  roche  crag ;  to  the  gret  admiratioun  of  peple,  considerin  it  Ivis 
in  the  middis  of  the  seis.  Beside  this  lie  is  ane  wounderful  crag, 
risand  within  the  see,  with  sa  narro  and  strait  hals,  that  na  schij) 
nor  l)ait  may  arrive  hot  allanerlie  at  ane  part  of  it.  This  crag  is 
callit  the  Bas ;  unwinnabill  be  ingine  of  man.  In  it  ar  coves,  als 
proffitable  for  defence  of  men,  as  thay  wer  biggit  be  crafty  industry. 
Every  thing  that  is  in  that  crag  is  ful  of  admiration  and  woimder. 
In  it  ar  incredible  noumer  of  Soland  Geis ;  nocht  unlik  to  thir  fowlis, 
that  Plineus  callis  See  Ernis ;  and  ar  sene  in  na  part  of  Albion,  hot 
in  this  crag  and  Ailsay.  At  thair  first  cumin,  quhilk  is  in  the  spring 
of  the  yeir,  thay  gadder  sa  gret  noumer  of  treis  and  stikkis  to  big 
thair  nestis,  that  the  samin  micht  be  sufficient  fewell  to  the  keparis 
of  the  castell,  howbeit  thay  had  na  uthir  provision ;  and  thocht  tb.e 
keparis  tak  fra  thir  fowlis  thir  stikkis  and  treis,  yit  thay  tak  litil  in- 
dingnation  thairof,  bot  bringis  haistelie  agane  als  mony  fra  uthir 
placis  (pihair  thay  fle.  Thay  nuris  thair  birdis  with  maist  delio-at 
fische;  for,  thocht  thay  have  ane  fische  in  thair  mouth  abone  the 
seis,  quhair  thay  fle,  yit  gif  thay  se  ane  uthir  bettir,  thay  lat  the  first 
fal,  and  doukis,  with  ane  fellon  stoure,  in  the  see,  and  bringis  hais- 
telie up  the  fische  that  thay  last  saw ;  and  thoucht  this  fische  be  reft 
fra  hir  be  the  keparis  of  the  castell,  scho  takkis  litill  indingnation, 
bot  fleis  incontinent  for  ane  uthir.  Thir  keparis,  of  the  castell  for- 
said,  takis  the  young  geis  fra  thaim  with  litill  impediment;  thus 
cumis  gret  proffet  yeirlie  to  the  lord  of  the  said  castell.  Within  the 
bowellis  of  thir  geis,  is  ane  fatnes  of  singulare  medicine ;  for  it  helis 
mony  infirmiteis,  speciallie  sik  as  cumis  be  gut  and  cater  disceding 
m  the  hanches  or  lethes  of  men  and  wemen.  In  this  crag  growis 
ane  richt  delicius  herbe;  and,  quhen  it  is  transportit  or  plantit  in 
ony  othir  part,  it  is  of  litill  sapor  or  gust.  In  this  crag  wes  sum  time 
ane  stane,  full  of  ene  and  hobs,  like  ane  watter  spounge,  holkit  in 
the  middis;  of  sik  nature,  that  all  salt  watter  that  is  waschin  tliair- 
with,  becumis  incontinent  fresche  and  delicius  to  the  mouth.     We 


xxxviii  THE  COSMOGRAPHE  AND 

heir,  now,  that  this  stane  is  in  Fast  Castell.  In  ane  He  of  Forth, 
is  the  abbay  of  Sanct  Colme,  of  Channons  regulare,  eftir  the  ordour 
of  Sanct  Augustine.  Mony  othir  Ihs  ar  in  this  firth,  full  of  cun- 
ningis.  Oftimes  are  sene  in  this  firth  uncouth  and  wounderfull  fische, 
with  coulis  hinging  ouir  thair  hedis,  like  monkis ;  and  signifyis  ay 
mortalite  of  men  and  beistis  quhare  thay  ar  sene. 


C^ap^  Cent[i» 

The  Discriptioun  ofLoutldane,  Striveling,  Menteith^  Calidone  Wod, 
Bowgexcall,  Gareotli ;  zcith  the  notable  Cietets,  Castellis,  and  Fludis, 
thairqf. 

N  the  south  side  of  Forth  lyis  Louthiane ;  callit,  with 
that  name,  fra  Loth,  ane  of  the  principall  kingis  of 
Pichtis.  Louthiane  is  maist  plentuus  ground  of  Scot- 
land. In  it  ar  mony  abbayis,  castellis,  and  tounis ;  as 
Hadingtoun,  Dunbar,  North  Berwik,  Leith :  bot  Edinburgh  passis 
thaim  all,  baith  in  polese,  reparation,  wisdome,  and  riches :  and  abone 
it  is  the  castell  undir  the  same  name,  sum  time  callit  The  Madin 
Castell,  and  yit  remanis  undir  the  same  name.  Nocht  two  mills  fra 
Edinburgh  is  ane  fontane,  dedicat  to  Sanct  Katrine,  quhair  sternis 
of  oulie  springis  ithandlie  with  sic  aboundance,  that,  howbeit  the  sa^ 
min  be  gaderit  away,  it  springis  incontinent  with  gret  aboundance. 
This  fontane  rais  throw  ane  drop  of  Sanct  Katrinis  oulie,  quhilk  wes 
brocht  out  of  ]\Iont  Sinai,  fra  hir  sepulture,  to  Sanct  Margaret,  the 
blissit  Quene  of  Scotland.  Als  sone  as  Sanct  Margaret  saw  the  oulie 
spring  ithandlie,  be  divine  miracle,  in  the  said  place,  scho  gart  big 
ane  chapell  thair,  in  the  honour  of  Sanct  Katherine.  This  ouhe  hes 
ane  singulare  virtew  aganis  all  maner  of  cankir  and  skawis.  Nocht 
far  fra  the  mouth  of  Forth  is  the  castel  of  Dunbar ;  quhilk,  be  na- 
ture and  crafty  industre  of  man,  is  the  strenthiest  hous,  this  day,  of 
Albion.  Dunbar  wes  sum  time  the  cheif  chemis  of  the  Erlis  of 
^larche.     Nocht  far  fra  it  is  ane  toun  undir  the  same  name,  with 


DISCRIPTION  OF  ALBION.  xxxix 

ane  magnificent  and  riche  college  of  Channons,  foundit  and  honora- 

bily  dotal  be  the  said  Erlis.     On  the  eist  side  of  Louthiane  lyis  the 

Mers ;  the  cuntre  qvihilk  by  vis  is  first  discrivit.     Under  the  Mers 

lyis  Tevidail ;  and  abone  it  lyis  T^vedail.   Under  Twedail  lyis  Dry- 

isdail,  Waulcopdail,  Douglasdail,  and  Clydisdail.  All  thir  dahs  beris 

the  name  of  that  rever  that  discendis  throw  thaim.     The  principal  1 

toun  of  Clydisdail  is  Glasqu,  the  archebischoppis  seit ;  quhare  ane 

nobill  kirk  is  dotat  richelie  in  the  honour  of  Sanct  Muno-ow.  and 

biggit  with  gret  magnificence.     In  Glasqu  is  ane  generall  Univer- 

site,  and  study  of  all  liberall  science.     In  Clydisdail  is  ane  riche 

mine  of  gold  and  asure,  won  but  ony  laubour  :  sum  times  ai-  won  in 

it,  sindry  precious  stanis  of  variant  hewis.     This  goldin  mine  wes 

found  in  the  time  of  King  James  the  Feird ;  quhilk  had  so  mony 

singulare  virtewis,  diat  he  had  decorit  his  realme  with  infinite  riches 

be  this  mine,  gif  God  had  fortunit  him  to  have  had  dayis.  Now,  be 

sleuth  and  necligence  of  uncrafty  peple,  this  mine  dois  small  proffet. 

Fra  Glasqu,  north,  lyis  Menteith,  and  Strivehngschire,  marcheand 

with  Argyle  and  Lennox.  In  Strivehngschire  is  the  toun  of  Strlvel- 

ing;  and  abone  it  standis  the  castel  under  the  samin  name,  sum  time 

namit  the  Dolorus  Montane.     At  this  toun  began  the  gret  wod  of 

Calidon.     This  wod  of  Calidon  ran  fra  Striveling  throw  Menteith 

and  Stratherne  to  Atholl  and  Lochquhabir;  as  Ptolome  writtis,  in 

his  first  table.     In  this  wod  wes  sum  time  quhit  bullis,  with  crisp 

and  curland  mane,  like  feirs  honis ;  and,  thoucht  thay  semit  meik 

and  tame  in  the  remanent  figure  of  thair  body  is,  thay  wer  mair  Avild 

than  ony  uthir  beistis,  and  had  sic  hatrent  aganis  the  societe  and 

cumpany  of  men,  that  thay  come  nevir  in  the  woddis  nor  lesuris 

quhair  thay  fand  ony  feit  or  haind  thairof ;  and,  mony  dayis  eftir, 

thay  eit  nocht  of  the  herbis  that  wer  tmchit  or  handilhtt  be  men. 

Thir  bullis  wer  sa  wild,  that  thay  wer  nevir  tane  but  slicht  and  crafty 

laubour ;  and  sa  impacient,  that,  eftir  thair  taking,  thay  deit  for 

importable  doloure.     Als  sone  as  ony  man  invadit  thir  bullis,  thay 

ruschit  with  so  terrible  preis  on  him,  that  thay  dang  him  to  the  eird ; 

takand  na  feir  of  houndis,  scharp  lancis,  nor  uthir  maist  penitrive 

wappinnis.     It  is  said.  King  Robert  Bruce,  eftir  his  coronatioun, 

went  to  ane  hunting  in  this  wod,  havand  bot  ane  quiet  cumpanie 

with  him,  and  eschapit  narowlie  of  his  lief;  for  ane  of  the  bullis,  ef- 


xl  THE  COSMOGRAPHE  AND 

tir  that  lie  wes  salr  woundit  be  the  huntaris,  ruschit  feirslie  on  the 
king,  howbeit  he  had  na  wapinnis  in  his  hand  to  debait  himself  fra 
the  dint  thairof :  Incontinent,  ane  man  of  gret  spreit,  quhilk  wes 
standing  neir  by,  lap  afore  the  king ;  and  nocht  allanerlie  kest  the 
bull  be  manifest  force  to  the  erd,  bot  held  him,  quhill  the  remanent 
liuntaris  slew  him  with  thair  wappinnis.  This  man,  that  rescoursit 
the  king,  wes  callit  Turnbull,  and  wes  rewardit  with  riche  landis  be 
the  king.  And  thoucht  thir  bullis  wer  bred  in  sindry  boundis  of 
the  Callidon  Wod,  now,  be  continewal  hunting  and  lust  of  insolent 
men,  thay  ar  distroyit  in  all  partis  of  Scotland,  and  nane  of  thaim 
left  bot  allanerlie  in  Cumarnald.  On  the  eist  side  of  Menteith  lyis 
Strathern ;  and  marchis  on  the  samin  side  with  Fiffe.  Out  throw 
the  valis  of  this  regioun  rinnis  the  watter  of  Em,  and  fallis  in  Tav. 
And,  nocht  four  mills  fra  the  place  quhare  Ern  fallis  in  Tay,  is  ane 
stane  of  small  quantite,  howbeit  it  be  of  mervellus  nature ;  for  thair 
is  nothir  preis  nor  ingine  of  man  that  may  transport  it  out  of  the 
place  quhair  it  lyis :  attoure  ane  man,  and  ane  hundreth,  movis  it 
elik.  On  the  tothir  side  of  Tay,  beyound  Angus  and  Gowrie,  lyis 
Stermond ;  ane  plentuus  regioun,  baith  of  gers  and  cornis.  Nocht 
far  fra  Stermond  lyis  Athole ;  in  quhilkis  ar  mony  lusty  valis,  and 
fludis,  ful  of  fische ;  and  the  ground  sa  riche,  that  it  beris  cornis  but 
ony  lauboure.  In  it  is  ane  toun  namit  Lud ;  of  quhilk  the  land  is 
sa  plentuus,  that,  gif  it  be  weil  manurit,  it  beris  gud  beir  but  ony 
seid.  -fn  Athole  ar  uthir  landis,  of  mair  contrarius  nature;  the 
quheit  that  is  sawin  in  it  degeneris,  and  turnis  in  ry.  Under  Buch- 
cjuhane  and  Boene,  to  the  west,  lyis  Bostgewell,  and  Gareoth ;  richt 
plentuus  regionis,  baith  in  gres  and  cornis.  In  Gareoth  is  ane  hill 
namit  Doundore,  that  is  to  say,  the  Goldin  Montane.  The  scheip 
that  gangis  on  this  montane  ar  yallo ;  thair  teeth  ar  hewit  like  gold  ; 
thair  flesche  reid,  as  it  wer  littit  with  safron ;  thair  woll  is  on  the  same 
maner.  In  this  regioun  is  ane  carnell  of  stanis,  hand  togidder,  in 
maner  of  ane  croun ;  and  ringis,  quhen  thay  ar  doung,  as  ane  bell. 
Ane  temple  wes  biggit,  as  sum  men  belevis,  in  the  said  place,  quhare 
mony  auld  ritis  and  superstitionis  wer  maid  to  evill  spretis.  Mony 
uthir  regionis  ar  in  Scotland ;  as  Bradalbane,  Strabraun,  and  Bad- 
yenoth,  with  sindry  uthir  small  landis  and  fludis ;  howebeit  thay  ar 
nocht  sa  notable  as  thir  landis  that  we  have  schawin. 


DISCRIPTION  OF  ALBION.  xli 


Cfiap*  (2Bletientfi» 

Of  the  gret  plente  of  H arts,  Hartis,  and  uthir  mid  Bestiall  in  Scot- 
land. Of  the  mervelliis  nature  of  sindry  Scottis  Doggis ;  and. 
Of  the  nature  of  S almond. 

EcAUS  we  have  discrivit  all  regionis  of  Scotland  in  spe- 
ciall,  we  will  schaw  sum  thing  concerning  thaim  in  ge- 
neral. And,  first,  we  say,  that  in  all  boundis  of  Scot- 
land, except  thay  partis  quhair  continewall  habitatioun 
of  pepie  makis  impediment  thairto,  is  gret  plente  of  haris,  hartis, 
hindis,  dayis,  rais,  wolffis,  wild  hors,  and  toddis.  Thir  wild  hors  ar 
not  tane  but  crafty  shcht :  for,  in  time  of  winter,  the  landwart  peple 
puttis  certane  tame  cursouris  and  meris  amang  thir  wild  hors ;  and, 
be  thair  commixtioun  and  frequent  cumpanie,  makis  thaim  so  tame, 
that  thay  may  be  handillit.  The  wolffis  ar  richt  noisum  to  the  tame 
bestiall,  in  all  partis  of  Scotland,  except  ane  part  thairof  namit  Glen- 
mores,  in  quhilk  the  tame  bestiall  gettis  litill  dammage  of  wild  bes- 
tiall, specialie  of  toddis ;  for  ilk  hous  of  this  cuntre,  nurisis  ane  young 
tod  certane  dayis,  and  mengis  the  flesche  thairof,  eftir  that  it  be  slane, 
with  sic  meit  as  thay  gif  to  thair  fowhs,  or  uthir  smal  beistis ;  and 
sa  mony  as  etis  of  this  meit  ar  preservit  twa  monethis  eftir  fra  ony 
dammage  of  toddis :  for  toddis  will  eit  na  flesche  that  gustis  of  thair 
a\vin  kind;  and,  be  thair  bot  ane  beist  or  fowU  that  hes  nocht  gustit 
of  this  meit,  the  tod  will  cheis  it  out  amang  ane  thousand.  In  Scot- 
land ar  doggis  of  mervellus  nature :  for  abone  the  commoun  nature 
and  conditioun  of  doggis,  quhilkis  ar  sene  in  all  partis,  ar  thre  ma- 
ner  of  doggis  in  Scotland,  quhilk  ar  sene  in  na  uthir  partis  of  the 
warld.  The  first  is  ane  hound,  baith  wicht,  hardy,  and  swift.  Thir 
houndis  ar  nocht  allanerlie  feirs  and  cruell  on  all  wild  beistis,  bot  on 
thevis  and  ennimes  to  thair  maister,  on  the  same  maner.  The  se- 
cound  kind  is  ane  rache,  that  sekis  thair  pray,  baith  of  fowlis,  beistis, 
and  fische,  be  sent  and  smell  of  thair  neis.     The  thrid  kind  is  na 

VOL.  I.  F 


xlii  THE  COSMOGEAPHE  AND 

mair  than  ony  rache ;  reid  hewit,  or  ellis  blak,  with  small  spraingis 
of  spottis ;  and  ar  callit  be  the  peple,  Sleuthoundis.   Thir  doggis  lies 
sa  mervellus  wit,  that  thay  serche  thevis,  and  followis  on  thaim  al- 
lanerlie  be  sent  of  the  guddis  that  ar  tane  away ;  and  nocht  allaner- 
lie  findis  the  theif,  bot  invadis  him  with  gret  cruelte :  and,  thoucht 
the  thevis  oftimes  cors  the  watter,  quhah'  thay  pas,  to  cans  the  hound 
to  tine  the  sent  of  thaim  and  the  guddis,  yit  he  serchis  heir  and  thair 
with  sic  deligence,  that,  be  his  fut,  he  findis  baith  the  trace  of  the 
theif  and  the  guddis.  The  mervellus  nature  of  thir  houndis  wil  have 
na  faith  with  uncouth  peple ;  howbeit  the  samin  ar  richt  frequent 
and  rife  on  the  bordouris  of  Ingland  and  Scotland :  attour  it  is  sta- 
tute, be  the  lawis  of  the  Bordouris,  he  that  denyis  entres  to  the 
sleuthound,  in  time  of  chace  and  serching  of  guddis,  sal  be  haldin 
participant  with  the  crime  and  thift  committit.     Of  fowlis,  sic  as 
leiffis  of  reif,  ar  sindry  kindis  in  Scotland ;  as  ernis,  falconis,  gois- 
halkis,  sparhalkis,  marlyonis,  and  sik  like  fowlis.     Of  watter  fowlis 
is  sa  gret  noumer,  that  it  is  wonder  to  heir.     Mony  uthir  fowlis  ar 
in  Scotland,  quhilkis  ar  sene  in  na  uthir  partis  of  the  warld  ;  as  ca- 
percailye, ane  foul  mair  than  ane  ravin,  quhilk  leiffis  allanerlie  of 
barkis  of  treis.   In  Scotland  ar  mony  mure  cokis  and  hennis,  quhilk 
etis  nocht  bot  seid,  or  croppis  of  liadder.     Sic  like  ar  gret  noumer 
of  blak  cokis  and  hennis,  nocht  unlike  to  ane  fasiane,  baith  in  quan- 
tite  and  sapoure  of  thair  flesche ;  bot  thay  have  blak  fedderis  and 
reid  ee-breis.     And  beside  thir  thre  uncouth  kind  of  fowlis,  is  ane 
uthir  kind  of  fowlis  in  the  Mers,  mair  uncouth,  namit  gustardis,  als 
mekle  as  ane  swan ;  bot  in  the  colour  of  thair  fedderis,  and  gust  of 
thair  flesche,  thay  ar  litil  different  fra  ane  pertrik.    Thir  last  fowlis 
ar  not  frequent,  bot  in  few  noumer ;  and  sa  far  haitis  the  cumpany 
of  man,  that  gif  thay  find  thair  eggis  aindit  or  twichit  be  men,  thay 
leif  thaim,  and  layis  eggis  in  ane  othir  place.   Thay  lay  thair  eggis  in 
the  bair  erd.     All  othii*  kind  of  fowlis  ar  in  Scotland,  on  the  same 
maner  as  thay  ar  in  ony  othir  realmes.     Of  fische  is  mair  plente  in 
Scotland,  speciallie  of  salmond,  than  is  in  ony  uthir  partis  of  the 
warld.     And,  becaus  the  procreation  and  nature  of  salmond  is  un- 
couth and  strange,  we  have  inserit  the  maner  thairof  in  this  buke. 
Thir  salmond,  in  the  time  of  hervist,  cumis  up  throw  the  smal  wat- 
teris,  speciallie  quhare  the  watter  is  maist  schauld  and  loun,  and 


DISCRIPTION  OF  ALBION.  xliii 

spawnis,  with  thair  wamis  plet  to  uthir.  The  hie  fische  spawnis  his 
meltis,  and  the  scho  fische  hir  rounis,  and  incontinent  coveris  thaini 
ouir  with  sand  in  the  reveir ;  and,  eftir  thair  spawning,  thay  grow 
sa  lene  and  small,  that  na  thing  apperis  on  thaim  hot  skin  and  bane ; 
and  hes  sa  warsche  gust,  that  thay  ar  unprofRtable  to  eit.  Sum  men 
sayis,  all  othir  salmond  that  metis  thaim  eftir  thair  spawning  growis 
lene  on  the  same  maner  as  thay  ar ;  for  sindry  of  thaim  ar  found 
lene  on  the  ta  side,  and  fat  on  the  tothir.  Forthir,  of  thu-  rounis 
and  meltis,  quhilkis  ar  hid,  as  said  is,  under  the  sandis,  growis,  at 
the  spring  of  the  nixt  yen-,  small  tender  fische,  na  gretar  thaji  ane 
mannis  thoume ;  and,  gif  thay  be  handillit,  thay  melt  away  like  ane 
blob  of  watter.  Alwayis,  at  the  first  streme  of  watter  that  risis,  thay 
discend  to  the  see ;  and,  within  xx  dayis  eftir,  thay  grow  in  mer- 
vellus  quantite,  and,  with  maist  fervent  desire  and  appetite,  returnis 
to  the  samin  placis  quhair  thay  wer  generit.  Forthir,  becaus  mony 
of  the  watteris  of  Scotland  ar  full  of  linnis,  als  sone  as  thir  salmond 
cumis  to  the  lin,  thay  leip ;  and  sa  mony  as  ar  wicht,  or  lepis  weil, 
thay  get  up  throw  the  Un,  and  returnis  to  the  place  quhair  thay  wer 
bred,  and  abidis  thair  quhil  the  season  cum  of  thair  generatioun. 
Utheris,  quhilkis  lepis  nocht  cleirlie  ouir  the  lin,  brekis  thaimself  be 
thair  fall,  and  growis  mesall.  Utheris  ar  keppit  in  cawdrounis ;  for 
the  landwart  peple  settis  oftimes  cawdrounis,  playand  with  hait  wat- 
ter, at  the  cheik  of  the  lin.  Thus,  quhen  the  salmondis  failhs  thair 
loup,  thay  fall  callour  in  the  said  caldrounis,  and  ar  than  maist  de- 
litius  to  the  mouth.  It  is  defendit  be  our  lawis,  ta  sla  ony  salmond 
fra  the  viii  day  of  September,  to  the  xv  day  of  Novembre.  Na  man 
knawis  quhair  on  thu'  fische  leiffis ;  for  na  thing  is  found  in  thair 
wambe,  quhen  thay  ar  oppinnit,  bot  ane  thik  grosse  humour. 


xliv  THE  COSMOGRAPHE  AND    ^ 


Of  the  sindry  Mndis  of  MussiUis  and  Codes  in  Scotland.  Of  the 
Perils  that  ar  gotthi  in  thame.  Of  sindry  uncouth  and  strange 
Fische.     Of  the  nature  of  H adder. 

Ow  we  will  schaw  the  nature  of  mussillis  and  coclis,  of 
quhilkis  mony  kindis  ar  amang  us.  Sum  ar  small,  with 
the  meit  thairof  richt  delieius  to  the  mouth :  utheris  ar 
mair,  nocht  unlike,  in  forme  and  quantite,  to  the  samin 
mussillis  that  lies  the  purpure;  and,  howbeit  thay  have  na  thing 
thairof,  thay  ar  yit  richt  delieius  to  the  mouth :  utheris  ar  lang  and 
greter,  callit  Hors  MussiUis,  and  ar  gottin  in  sindry  reveris,  specialie 
in  De  and  Done ;  and  in  thir  mussillis  ar  generit  the  perUs.  Thir 
mussillis,  airlie  in  the  morning,  quhen  the  lift  is  cleir  and  temperat, 
opnis  thair  mouthis  a  litill  abone  the  watter,  and  maist  gredelie 
swellis  the  dew  of  the  hevin ;  and,  eftir  the  mesure  and  quantite  of 
tlie  dew  that  thay  swellie,  thay  consave  and  bredis  the  perle.  Thir 
mussillis  ar  sa  doyn  gleg  of  twiche  and  hering,  that  howbeit  the  voce 
l)e  nevir  so  small  that  is  maid  on  the  bra  beside  thaim,  or  the  stane 
be  nevir  sa  small  that  is  cassin  in  the  watter,  thay  douk  haistelie  at 
anis,  and  gangis  to  the  ground,  knawing  weill  in  quhat  estimatioun 
and  price  the  frute  of  thair  wambe  is  to  al  peple.  Als  sone  as  the 
fischaris  findis  thir  mussillis,  thay  thrist  thaim  fast  togidder.  The 
maner  of  thair  taking  followis :  First,  four  or  five  personis  passis  in 
the  rever  togidder,  and  standis  in  maner  of  ane  round  cirkill  within 
the  watter  to  thair  schulderis.  Ilk  ane  of  thaim  hes  ane  staffe  in 
ihair  hand,  that  thay  sail  nocht  slide ;  and  sine  thay  luke  and  viseis 
throwe  the  cleir  and  purifyit  watter,  quhill  thay  se  the  mussillis ;  and, 
becaus  thay  may  nocht  tak  thaim  up  with  thair  handis,  thay  cleik 
thaim  up  with  thair  tayis,  and  slingis  thaim  to  the  nixt  brayis.  The 
perils  that  ar  gottin  in  Scotland  ar  nocht  of  littill  valoure ;  for  thay 
hav-e  ane  cleir  schinand  quhitnes,  round  and  licht ;  and  sum  times 
ar  als  mekle  as  the  naill  of  ane  mannis  fingar :  of  quhilkis  we  have 


DISCRIPTION  OF  ALBION.  xlv 

had  part.  It  wes  schawin  to  us,  be  thaim  that  come  fra  Sanct  James, 
that  thair  is  siclike  miissillis  in  Spanye ;  bot  thay  have  na  perle,  for 
thay  leif  in  salt  watter.  In  all  the  see-costis  of  Scotland  ar  coclis  and 
mussillis  on  the  same  maner ;  thoucht  tha  be  mair  proffitable  to  the 
mouth,  than  ony  procreatioun  of  perils.  Mony  uncouth  forme  and 
figuris  of  fische  ar  in  Scotland :  sum  of  thaim  armit  with  schellis ; 
sum  ^vith  hard  skalis ;  and  sum  of  thaim  ar  round  as  ane  ball,  bakkit 
like  ane  hurcheon,  havand  bot  ane  conduct  baith  to  purge  thair 
wambe  and  ressave  thair  meit.  To  schaw  every  kind  of  fische  that 
is  in  Scotland,  it  wer  bot  ane  faschious  and  vane  lauboure ;  for  the 
samin  ar  kna^^^n  to  al  cuntreis.  Of  al  othir  kindis  of  fische  is  sa 
gret  plente  throw  all  partis  of  our  seis,  that,  howbeit  infinit  noumer 
of  thaim  wer  tane  away  on  the  ta  day,  na  thing  thairof  sal  be  mist  on 
the  morow.  Attoure  ane  thing  is,  that  cumis  not  but  singulare  pro- 
vidence of  God ;  for  ay  the  mair  derth  and  penurite  of  vittallis  is  in 
Scotland,  the  fische  swoumis  with  the  more  abundance  and  plente. 
Attoure  in  all  the  desertis  and  muris  of  this  realme  growis  ane  herbe, 
namit  hadder,  but  ony  seid,  richt  nutritive  baith  to  beistis  and  fowlis ; 
specialie  to  beis.  This  herbe,  in  the  moneth  of  July,  hes  ane  floure 
of  purpure  hew,  als  sweit  as  huny.  The  Pichtis  maid  of  this  herbe, 
sum  time,  ane  richt  delicius  and  hailsum  drink.  Nochtheless,  the 
maner  of  the  making  of  it  is  perist,  be  exterminioun  of  the  said 
Pichtis  out  of  Scotland ;  for  thay  schew  nevir  the  craft  of  the  mak- 
ing of  this  drink  bot  to  thair  awin  blud.  Attoure  thair  is  na  part 
of  Scotland  sa  unproffitable,  bot  it  producis  othir  irne,  or  ellis  sum 
othir  proffitable  kind  of  metal ;  as  may  be  notabilly  provin  throw  all 
the  His  of  Scotland. 


xlvi  THE  COSMOGRAPHE  AND 


The  Dlscriptioun  of  the  His  of  Scotland ;  and  of  the  maist  notabill 
thin ff is  thairof. 

En  we  ar  now  falling  in  commoning  of  the  His,  we  will 
disci'ive  the  same,  in  maner  and  forme  as  followis.  For- 
nens  Scotland,  to  the  Ireland  seis,  lyis  xliii  His;  of 
quhilkis  sum  ar  xxx  milis  lang,  utheris  xii  mills,  utheris 
mair,  and  utheris  les.  Thir  His  wer  callit  be  sum  auctouris,  Ebonie  ; 
and  be  utheris  ar  callit  Hebredes.  The  principall  He  is  the  He  of 
Man,  quhilk  lyis  fornens  Galloway,  and  wes  sum  time  the  principall 
seit  of  the  preistis  namit  Driades ;  as  Cornelius  Tacitus,  Cesar,  in 
his  Commentaris,  and  mony  othir  Romane  auctouris  testifyis.  North 
fra  the  He  of  Man  lyis  Arrane,  uthirwayis  namit  Botha.  This  se- 
cound  name  wes  gevin  to  it  be  Sanct  Brandane ;  for  he  biggit  sum 
time  ane  hous  in  it,  namit  Both.  Fra  Arrane  lyis  Helaw,  and 
Rothesay,  namit  fra  the  first  Scot  that  brocht  the  Scottis  out  of  Ire- 
land in  Albioun.  Nocht  far  fra  thir  His  is  Ailsay ;  quhair  siclik 
plente  of  soland  geis  is,  as  we  schew  afore  in  the  Bas.  Fra  Ailsay 
lyis  mony  uthir  His,  devidit  and  severit  be  thair  aAvin  names,  full  of 
minis ;  sik  as  irne,  tin,  leid,  and  uthir  metallis :  Yit  the  maist  no- 
table He  of  Scotland  is  Ha,  quhilk  lyis,  beyound  the  toung  of  Lome, 
in  the  sicht  of  Lochquhabir ;  ane  riche  cuntre,  xxx  milis  of  lenth, 
richt  plentuus  of  corne,  and  full  of  metallis,  gif  thair  wer  ony  craf- 
ty and  industrius  peple  to  win  the  samin.  Nocht  far  fra  Ha  lyis 
C umbra,  and  Mula,  als  mekill  as  Ha,  baith  in  lenth  and  breid.  In 
this  He  of  Mula  is  ane  cleir  fontane,  two  milis  fra  the  see :  fra  this 
fontane  discendis  ane  litil  burne,  or  strip,  rinnand  ful  of  rounis  to 
the  seis.  Thir  rounis  ar  round  and  quhit,  schinand  like  perle,  full 
of  tliik  humour ;  and,  within  two  houris  eftir  that  thay  come  to  see, 
thay  grow  in  gret  codes.  Schort  gait  fra  thir  His  is  lona,  othir- 
wayis  namit  Colmekill ;  in  quhilk  is  ane  abbay,  full  of  devot  religius 
men.   This  abbay  wes  the  commoun  sepulture  of  all  Scottis  kingis, 


DISCRIPTION  OF  ALBION.  xlvii 

fra  the  time  of  King  Fergus  the  Secound,  to  the  time  of  King  Mal- 
cohne  Canmore,  quhilk  biggit  the  abbay  of  Dunfermling ;  quhair 
the  maist  part  of  our  kingis  lyis,  sen  the  fundatioun  thairof.  Pass- 
and  forthwart  to  the  north-nor-west  seis,  fornens  Ros,  is  ane  He 
namit  Lewis,  lx  mihs  of  lenth.  In  this  He  is  bot  ane  reveir.  It  is 
said,  gif  ony  woman  waid  throw  this  watter  at  the  spring  of  the  yeir, 
thair  sail  na  salmond  be  sene  for  that  yeir  in  the  said  watter :  other- 
wayis,  it  sail  abound  in  gret  plente.  Beyound  the  Lewis  lyis  two 
His,  namit  Sky  and  Rona.  In  this  last  He  is  incredible  noumer  of 
selch,  pellok,  and  meirswine,  na  thing  astonist  for  the  sicht  of  men. 
The  last  and  outmaist  He  is  namit  Hirtha;  quhare  the  elevatioun  of 
the  pole  is  lxiii  greis.  And,  sen  the  elevatioun  of  the  pole  abone 
the  He  of  Man  is  lvii  greis,  ilk  gre  extending  to  lxii  mUis  and  ane 
half  in  distance,  as  Ptolome  and  uthir  astronomeris  nowmeris,  I  con- 
clude, that  fra  the  He  of  Man,  the  first  He  of  Albion,  to  Hirtha,  the 
last  He  thairof,  ar  ccclxxvii  mills.  This  last  He  is  namit  Hirtha, 
quhilk,  in  Irsche,  is  callit  ane  scheip  ;  for  in  this  He  is  gret  nowmer 
of  scheip,  ilk  ane  gretar  than  ony  gait  buk,  with  hornis  lang  and 
thikkar  than  ony  home  of  ane  bewgill,  and  hes  lang  talis  hingand 
down  to  the  erd.  This  He  is  circulit  on  every  side  with  roche  crao-ffis  ; 
and  na  baitis  may  land  at  it  bot  allanerly  at  ane  place,  in  quhilk  is 
ane  strait  and  narow  entres.  Sum  time  thair  micht  na  pepill  pas  to 
this  He  but  extreme  dangeir  of  thair  livis ;  and  yit  thair  is  na  pas- 
sage to  it  bot  quhen  the  seis  ar  cawme  but  ony  tempest.  In  the 
moneth  of  Juny,  ane  preist  cumis  out  of  the  Lewis  in  ane  bait  to  this 
He,  and  ministeris  the  sacrament  of  baptisme  to  all  the  barnis  that 
hes  bene  borne  in  the  yeir  afore.  Als  sone  as  this  preist  hes  done 
his  office,  with  certane  messis,  he  ressavis  the  tindis  of  all  thair  com- 
moditeis,  and  returnis  hame  the  same  gait  he  come.  In  the  He  of 
Lewis  ai*  two  kirkis ;  ane  dedicat  to  Sanct  Peter,  and  the  tother  de- 
dicat  to  Sanct  Clement.  The  fame  is,  als  sone  as  the  fire  gangis 
furth  in  this  He,  the  man  that  is  haldin  of  maist  clene  and  innocent 
life  layis  ane  wosp  of  stra  on  the  alter;  and,  when  the  pepill  are 
gevin  maist  devotly  to  thair  praers,  the  wosp  kindellis  in  ane  bleis. 
Beyound  thir  Ihs  is  pt  ane  uthir  He,  bot  it  is  not  inhabit  with  ony 
pepill.  In  it  ar  certane  beistis,  nocht  far  different  fra  the  figure  of 
schiep,  sa  wild  that  thay  can  nocht  be  tane  but  gu'nis :  the  hair  of 


xlviii  THE  COSMOGRAPHE  AND 

thaim  is  lang  and  tattie,  nothir  like  the  woll  of  scheip  nor  gait.  Be- 
twix  thir  His  is  oftinies  richt  dangerus  passage :  for  the  see,  be  con- 
trariiis  stremes,  makis  coUision ;  sum  times  yettand  out  the  tid,  and 
sum  times  swelleand  and  soukand  it  in  agane,  with  sa  forcy  violence, 
that  quhen  the  schippis  ar  saland  throw  thir  dangerus  veilis,  oftimes 
tliay  ar  othir  drownit,  or  ellis  brokin  on  craggis.  The  gretest  vele 
heirof  is  namit  Corbrek ;  for  it  v-ill  othir  sink,  or  ellis  draw  ane  schip 
to  it,  howbeit  it  be  distant  thairfra  ane  mile. 


Cljap*  jToiitteentD* 

Of  the  nature  qfClaik  Geis,  and  of  the  s'lndry  maner  of  thair  pro- 
creation ;  and,  Of  the  lie  of  Thide. 


EsTis  now  to  speik  of  the  geis  generit  of  the  see,  namit 
Clakis.  Sum  men  belevis,  that  thir  clakis  growis  on 
treis  be  the  nebbis ;  bot  thair  opinioun  is  vane.  And,  be- 
caus  the  nature  and  procreatioun  of  thir  clakis  is  strange, 
wf  ha\  e  maid  na  litill  lauboure  and  deligence  to  serche  the  treuth 
and  verite  thau'of.  We  have  salit  throw  the  seis  quhare  thir  clakis 
ar  bred ;  aixl  findis,  be  gret  experience,  that  the  nature  of  the  seis 
is  mair  relevant  cans  of  thair  procreatioun  than  ony  uthir  thing. 
And  howbeit  thir  geis  ar  bred  mony  sindry  wayis,  thay  ar  bred  ay 
allanerly  be  nature  of  the  seis  :  for  all  treis  that  ar  cassin  in  the  seis, 
be  proces  of  time  apperis  first  worme-etin,  and  in  the  small  boris  and 
hollis  thairof  growis  small  wormis :  first,  thay  schaw  thair  heid  and 
feit,  and  last  of  all  thay  schaw  thair  plumis  and  wingis ;  finaly,  quhen 
thay  ar  cumin  to  the  just  mesure  and  quantite  of  geis,  thay  fle  in 
the  aire  as  othir  fowlis  dois :  as  was  notably  provin,  in  the  yeir  of 
God  M.cccc.xc,  in  sicht  of  mony  pepill,  beside  the  castell  of  Petsle- 
go.  Ane  gret  tre  was  brocht,  be  alluvion  and  flux  of  the  see,  to  land. 
This  wonderfull  tre  was  brocht  to  the  Lard  of  the  ground,  quhilk 
sone  efter  gart  devide  it  be  ane  saw,  Apperit  than  ane  multitude  of 
wormis  thrawing  thaim  self  out  of  sindry  hollis  and  boris  of  this  tre. 


DISCRIPTION  OF  ALBION.  xlix 

Sum  of  thaim  war  rude,  as  thay  war  bot  new  schapin ;  sum  had  baith 
held,  feit,  and  wingis,  bot  thay  had  na  fedderis ;  sum  of  thaim  war 
perfit  schapin  fowlis.  At  last  the  pepill,  havand  ilk  day  this  tre  in 
niair  admiration,  brocht  it  to  the  kirk  of  Sanct  Androis,  beside  the 
town  of  Tyre,  quhare  it  remanis  yit  to  our  dayis.  And,  within  tM'o 
yeris  efter,  hapnit  sic  ane  lik  tre  to  cum  in  the  firth  of  Tay,  beside 
Dunde,  worme-etin  and  hollit,  full  of  young  geis  in  the  samin  ma- 
ner.  Siclike,  in  the  port  of  Leith,  beside  Edinburgh,  within  few 
yeris  efter,  hapnit  sic  ane  like  cais.  Ane  schip,  namit  the  Cristofir, 
efter  that  scho  had  lyin  in  yeris  at  ane  ankir  in  ane  of  thir  His,  wes 
brocht  to  Leith ;  and  becaus  hir  timmer,  as  apperit,  failyeit,  scho 
was  brokin  down  :  incontinent  apperit,  as  afore,  al  the  inwart  partis 
of  hir  worme-etin,  and  all  the  hollis  thau'of  full  of  geis,  on  the  samin 
maner  as  we  have  schawin.  Attoure,  gif  ony  man  wald  allege,  be 
vane  argument,  that  this  Cristofir  was  maid  of  sic  treis  as  grew  al- 
lanerly  in  the  His,  and  that  all  the  rutis  and  treis  that  growis  in  the 
said  His,  ar  of  that  nature  to  be  finaly,  be  nature  of  the  seis,  resolvit 
in  geis ;  we  preif  the  cuntre  thairof  be  ane  notable  example,  schawin 
afore  our  ene.  Maister  Alexander  Galloway,  Person  of  Kinkell, 
was  with  us  in  thir  His,  gevand  his  mind,  with  maist  ernist  besines, 
to  serche  the  verite  of  thir  obscure  and  misty  dowtis ;  and,  be  adven- 
ture, liftet  up  ane  see-tangle,  hingand  full  of  mussill  schellis  fra  the 
rute  to  the  branchis.  Sone  efter,  he  opnit  ane  of  thir  mussill  schellis : 
bot  than  he  was  mair  astonist  than  afore ;  for  he  saw  na  fische  in  it, 
bot  ane  perfit  schapin  foule,  smal  and  gret  ay  effering  to  the  quan- 
tite  of  the  schell.  This  Clerk,  knawin  us  richt  desirus  of  sic  uncouth 
thingis,  come  haistely  with  the  said  tangle,  and  opnit  it  to  us,  with 
all  circumstance  afore  rehersit.  Be  thir,  and  mony  othir  reasonis 
and  exampHs,  we  can  not  beleif  that  thir  clakis  ar  producit  be  ony 
nature  of  treis  or  rutis  thairof,  bot  allanerly  be  the  nature  of  the 
occeane  see,  quhilk  is  the  caus  and  production  of  mony  wonderful 
thingis.  And  becaus  the  rude  and  ignorant  pepil  saw  oftimes  the 
frutis  that  fel  of  the  treis,  quhilkis  stude  neir  the  see,  convertit  with- 
in schort  time  in  geis,  thay  belevit  that  thir  geis  grew  apon  the  treis, 
hingand  be  thair  nebbis,  siclik  as  appillis  and  uthir  frutis  hingis  be 
thair  stalkis.   Bot  thair  opinioun  is  nocht  to  be  sustenit ;  for,  als  sone 

VOL.  I.  G 


1  THE  COSMOGRAPHE  AND 

as  thir  appillis  or  frutis  fallis  of  the  tre  in  the  see  flude,  thay  grow 
first  worme-etin,  and,  be  schort  proces  of  time,  ar  akerat  in  geis. 

Now  we  have  schawin  sufficienthe  ineuch  of  the  Ihs  of  Scotland,  gif 
we  had  schawin  ane  thing ;  that  is  to  say,  nocht  allanerhe  wes  the  lie 
of  Thule,  with  all  the  remanent  His  of  Scotland  sene  by  us,  bot  als 
wer  sene  be  mony  Romane  auctouris :  for  Cornelius  Tacitus  sayis, 
the  Romane  navy,  quhilk  wes  send  about  the  His  be  command  of 
Julius  Agricola,  saw  this  He  of  Thule,  with  the  remanent  Ihs  hand 
thairabout.  And  thoucht  Ptolome  writtis,  that  the  He  of  Thule  lyis 
amang  the  His  of  Scotland,  yit  his  writing,  be  provin  experience, 
may  have  na  faith :  for  Thule  is  mony  milis  distant  fra  Schetland; 
for  Schetland  lyis  beyound  Orknay,  approechand  to  Noroway.  Sum 
auctouris  sayis,  that  Thule  is  the  samin  He  that  we  call  Island :  for 
thir  auctouris  sayis,  that  Thule  is  the  last  He  of  the  occeane  see ; 
and  sa  is  Island ;  quhilk  lyis  in  the  cauld  and  frosty  seis  beyound 
the  cirkill  artik  to  the  north  pole.  The  peple  of  Island,  becaus  na 
cornis  growis  in  it,  leiffis  allanerhe  of  fische.  Thay  bray  dry  fische 
als  small  as  meil,  and  baikis  thaira  Avith  watter  at  the  fire,  and  usis 
it  in  maner  of  breid. 


The  Discriptioun  of  Orhnay,  Schetland,  with  sindry  uthir  small  His; 
and  of  the  maneris  and  condltionis  of  the  Peple  thairof. 

Eyound  all  the  His  of  Scotland  lyis  Orknay  ;  sum  part 
to  the  north-nor-west  seis,  and  sum  part  to  the  Almane 
seis.  The  principall  He  of  Orknay  is  Pomonia,  the 
bischoppis  seit,  in  quhilk  ar  two  strong  castellis.  In 
Orknay  growis  na  quheit ;  and  it  is  nakit  of  wod :  all  othir  cornis 
growis  in  it  with  gret  plente  Orknay  hes  na  vennomus  beistis,  more 
than  Ireland ;  na  beist,  ennime  to  the  nature  of  man,  may  leif  in 
Orknay.  And  sen  we  ar  now  fallin  in  speking  of  Ireland,  howbeit 
it  pertenis  na  thing  to  the  purpos  we  tuke  on  hand,  we  will  schaw 
ane  wonder  thairof,  quhilk  passis  all  wonderis  that  evir  we  red 


^^^IHI 

i 

B 

1 

\^\ 

n. 

*I*I* 

m 

DISCRIPTION  OF  ALBION.  li 

afore  in  ony  othir  bukis.    In  Ireland  is  ane  loch,  and  about  the  sa- 
min,  be  mony  mills,  growls  nothir  herbe  nor  tre.    And,  gif  ony  tre 
be  affixit  and  set  doun  in  this  loch,  within  the  space  of  ane  yeir  eftir, 
this  tre  alteris :  for  sa  mekle  of  it  as  is  hid  within  the  erd,  turnis  in 
ane  hard  stane ;  it  that  is  hid  in  the  watter,  turnis  in  irne ;  and  sa 
mekle  as  is  abone  the  watter,  kepis  the  nature  of  the  tre  :  and  so  the 
tre,  stane,  and  irne,  ar  junit  togidder  under  ane  stok.     Bot  we  wiU 
returne  to  Orknay,  to  schaw  litill  les  wonderis  of  it.     And,  first, 
howbeit  the  pepill  be  gevin  to  excessive  drinkin,  and,  be  plente  of 
beir,  makis  the  starkest  ail  of  Albioun,  yit  nane  of  thaim  ar  sene 
wod,  daft,  or  drunkin :  als  thay  come  haill  and  feir  in  thair  bodyis 
to  extreme  age,  but  ony  use  of  medcinary,  with  Strang  and  fair  bo- 
dyis.    The  yowls  of  this  cuntre  hes  ay  two  lammis,  or  ellis  thre,  at 
anis ;  and  of  wild  foull  and  tame,  is  mair  fouth  in  Orknay  than  in 
ony  part  of  Albioun.  Thair  hors  ar  litill  mair  than  asinis ;  bot  thay 
may  indure  mair  labour  than  ony  othir  hors.     To  speik  of  fische, 
thair  is  mair  aboundance  thairof  than  ony  uncouth  peple  may  be- 
leif.   In  Orknay  is  ane  gret  fische,  mair  than  ony  hors,  of  mervellus 
and  incredible  sleip.  This  fische,  quhen  scho  beginnis  to  sleip,  fesnis 
hir  teith  fast  on  ane  crag  abone  the  watter.     Als  sone  as  the  mari- 
neris  findis  hir  on  sleip,  thay  cum  with  ane  stark  cabill  in  ane  boit ; 
and,  eftir  that  thay  have  borit  ane  gret  hole  throw  hir  tale,  thay 
fesne  hir  be  the  samin.  Als  sone  as  this  fische  is  awalknit,  scho  makis 
hir  to  leip  with  gret  force  in  the  see ;  and,  fra  scho  find  hirself  fast, 
scho  writhis  hir  out  of  hir  awin  skin,  and  dels.     Of  the  fatnes  that 
scho  hes,  is  maid  oulie  in  gret  quantite ;  and  of  hir  skin,  becaus  it 
induris  lang,  is  maid  strong  cabellis.    Ane  hundreth  mills  beyound 
Orknay  lyis  Schetland ;  of  quhilk  the  riches  standis  onlie  in  fische, 
dryit  be  son.     Mony  hidis  and  skinnls  of  oxin,  scheip,  gait,  and 
martrikis,  dryit  with  the  sonne,  cumis  out  of  this  cuntre  in  Scotland ; 
and,  on  the  same  maner,  the  marchandis  of  Holland,  Zeland,  and 
Almanie,  cumis  yeirlie  to  Schetland,  to  interchange  uthir  marchan- 
dyis  with  the  peple  thairof;  quhilkis  ar  of  the  same  nature  and  con- 
ditionis  as  the  peple  is  of  Orknay.     Beyound  Schetland  ar  mony 
His,  quhilkis  leiffis  on  the  same  maner  as  it  dois.   And,  thoucht  the 
peple  of  thir  Islis  be  pure,  yit  thay  leif  langer,  and  ar  better  content 
of  thair  livis,  than  thay  that  hes  mair  welth  and  riches  of  the  warld. 


lii  THE  COSMOGRAPHE  AND 

Na  contentioun  is  amang  thaim  for  singulare  proffet.  Ilk  man  pro- 
vidis  for  sa  mekle  fische,  in  the  simer,  as  may  sustene  his  hous  agane 
the  winter.  Thir  peple  ar  nakit  of  all  ambitioun  and  vice,  and  ne- 
vir  trublit  -with  uncouth  weris.  Amang  all  pleseiris,  quhilkis  ar 
josit  be  mankind,  thay  think  na  thing  sa  gud,  as  to  leif  in  concord 
and  peace,  havand  ane  quiet  life  but  ony  uthir  displeseir.  This  per- 
fection of  life  cumis  to  thaim  onlie  throw  thair  simplicite ;  and  fol- 
lowis,  be  the  samin,  the  futsteppis  of  Crist.  Ilk  yeir,  anis  cumis  to 
thaim  ane  preist  out  of  Orknay,  and  ministris  to  thaim  the  sacra- 
ment of  baptisme ;  and,  eftir  that  he  haif  done  his  devore,  he  res- 
savis  his  teindis  justlie,  and  returnis,  the  samin  gait  he  come,  to 
Orknay.  Forthir,  glf  ony  giftis  of  nature  may  be  noumerit  amang 
wardly  guddis,  I  say  thir  His  hes  may  feliciteis  and  guddis  than  ony 
uthir  cuntreis  :  for  the  peple  thairof  ar  fair,  lusty,  and  strong  of 
l)ody  ;  dotat  with  mony  giftis  of  nature ;  and  hes  gud  heill  of  body, 
quhilk  may  be  preferrit  to  all  riches,  as  weil  knawis  thir  men  that 
hes  experience  of  lang  infirmiteis.  Forthir,  gif  the  peple  be  m^ist 
riche,  that  standis  sa  content  with  thair  awin  guddis,  that  thay  ^-• 
vet  na  utheris,  I  say  thir  peple  ar  als  happy  as  ony  uthir  peple  of 
the  warld.  Forthir,  gif  ony  man  wald  say  thir  thingis  that  I  writ 
ar  vane,  considrin  I  wes  nevir  in  thir  Ihs ;  I  say,  I  wes  weil  informit 
of  thame  be  ane  noble  man,  Edward,  sum  time  Bischop  of  Orknay : 
for  to  this  Bischop  come  ane  man  out  of  thir  IHs,  and  nocht  alla- 
nerlie  schew  thir  thingis,  with  all  circumstance  afore  rehersit,  bot  als 
verifyit  thaim  be  himself ;  for  he  passit  the  commoun  stature  of  men, 
and  sa  wicht,  that  na  man  durst  contend  nor  wersle  with  him ;  and 
he  wes  fairer  of  vis-ige  and  hide,  than  wes  ony  lady  of  the  warld. 
Be  thir  reasonis  apperis,  that  the  auctorite  of  thay  auctouris  is  na 
worth,  that  sayis,  all  peple  far  fra  the  sonne  ar  harbour  and  miser- 
able ;  for  thair  is  na  happiar  creaturis  in  the  warld  than  thir  peple 
of  thir  landis  forsaid.  Amang  the  rochis  and  craggis  of  thir  His 
growis  ane  maner  of  electuar  and  goum,  hewit  like  gold,  and  sa  at- 
tractive of  nature,  that  it  drawis  stra,  flox,  or  hemmis  of  claithis  to 
it,  on  the  samin  maner  as  dois  ane  adamont  stane.  This  goume  is 
generat  of  see  froith,  quhilk  is  cassin  up  be  continewal  repercussion 
of  craggis  aganis  the  see  wallis  ;  and,  throw  ithand  motioun  of  the 
see,  it  growis  als  teuch  as  glew,  ay  mair  and  mair ;  quhill,  at  last,  it 


DISCRIPTION  OF  ALBION.  iiii 

fallis  doun  of  the  crag  in  the  see.  It  is  said,  be  thaim  that  hes  ex- 
perience thairof,  that  this  goum,  quhen  it  lyis  on  the  crag,  is  like 
ane  froith  and  blob  of  watter ;  becaus  it  is  nocht  than  sufficientlie 
wrocht  be  motioun  of  the  see.  Oftimes  the  see  tangle  is  found  in- 
volvit  with  this  goume ;  becaus  it  is  doung  heir  and  thair  sa  mony 
wayis  be  alluvion  of  watter,  and,  sa  lang  as  it  fletis,  it  is  sone  invol- 
vit  with  ony  thing  that  it  metis.  Twa  yeir  afore  the  cumin  of  this 
buke  to  licht,  arrivit  ane  gret  lomp  of  this  goum  in  Buchquhane, 
als  mekle  as  ane  hors ;  and  wes  brocht  hame  be  the  hirdis,  quhilkis 
wer  kepand  thair  beistis,  to  thair  housis,  and  cassin  in  the  fire.  And, 
becaus  thay  fand  ane  smelland  odour  thairwith,  thay  schew  to  thair 
maister,  that  it  wes  ganand  for  the  sens  that  is  maid  in  the  kirkis. 
Thair  maister  wes  ane  rud  man  as  thay  wer ;  and  tuke  bot  ane  litill 
part  thairof,  and  left  the  remanent  behind  him,  as  mater  of  litill  ef- 
fect. All  the  partis  of  this  goum,  quhen  it  wes  brokin,  wes  of  the 
hew  of  gold,  and  schane  like  the  licht  of  ane  candill.  The  maist 
part  of  this  goimi  and  electuare  wes  distroyit  be  rud  peple,  afore  it 
come  to  ony  wise  mannis  eris ;  of  quhome  may  be  verifyit  the  pro- 
verb. The  sow  curis  na  balme.  Als  sone  as  I  wes  advertist  thairof, 
I  maid  sic  dihgence,  that  ane  part  of  it  wes  brocht  to  me  at  Abir- 
dene.  Thir  ar  the  maist  notable  thingis  that  we  culd  find  concern- 
ing the  His  of  Albioun,  Orknay,  and  Schetland. 

Thus,  it  wer  neidfull  to  put  ane  end  to  our  Cosmographie,  wer 
nocht  ane  uncouth  and  wounderfuU  historic  taris  a  litill  our  pen. 
Maister  James  Ogilby,  with  uthir  noble  men,  wes  send  as  ambassa- 
touris  fra  the  maist  noble  prince  King  James  the  Feird  to  the  King 
of  France ;  and,  be  tempest  of  see,  thay  wer  constranit  to  land  in 
Norroway,  quhare  thay  saw,  nocht  far  fra  thaim,  mony  wild  men, 
nakit  and  roch,  on  the  same  maner  as  thay  ar  paintit :  and,  at  last, 
thay  gat  advertising  be  landwart  peple,  that  thay  wer  doum  beistis, 
under  the  figure  of  men.  In  time  of  nicht,  thay  usit  to  cum  in  gret 
cumpanyis  to  landwart  villagis ;  and,  quhair  thay  find  na  doggis, 
thay  brek  up  durris,  and  slayis  al  the  peple  that  thay  find  thairin- 
till.  Als  sone  as  thay  heir  the  nois  of  doggis,  thay  evanis,  and  dar 
nocht  abide.  Thay  ar  of  sa  huge  strenth,  that  sum  times  thay  pull 
up  treis  be  the  rutis,  and  fechtis  thairwith  amang  thaim  self.  The 
ambassatouris  wer  astonist  be  thir  monstouris,  and  maid  stark  waches, 


Hi  THE  COSMOGRAPHE  AND 

Na  contentioun  is  amang  thaim  for  singulare  profFet.  Ilk  man  pro- 
vidis  for  sa  mekle  fische,  in  the  simer,  as  may  sustene  his  hoils  agane 
the  winter.  Thir  peple  ar  nakit  of  all  ambitioun  and  vice,  and  ne- 
vir  trublit  vriih  uncouth  weris.  Amang  all  pleseiris,  quhilkis  ar 
josit  be  mankind,  thay  think  na  thing  sa  gud,  as  to  leif  in  concord 
and  peace,  havand  ane  quiet  life  but  ony  uthir  displeseir.  This  per- 
fection of  life  cumis  to  thaim  onlie  throw  thair  simplicite ;  and  fol- 
lowis,  be  the  samin,  the  futsteppis  of  Crist.  Ilk  yeir,  anis  cumis  to 
thaim  ane  preist  out  of  Orknay,  and  ministris  to  thaim  the  sacra- 
ment of  baptisme ;  and,  eftir  that  he  haif  done  his  devore,  he  res- 
savis  his  teindis  justlie,  and  returnis,  the  samin  gait  he  come,  to 
Orknay.  Forthir,  gif  ony  giftis  of  nature  may  be  noumerit  amang 
wardly  guddis,  I  say  thir  Ihs  hes  may  fehciteis  and  guddis  than  ony 
uthir  cuntreis :  for  the  peple  thairof  ar  fair,  lusty,  and  strong  of 
l)ody  ;  dotat  with  mony  giftis  of  nature ;  and  hes  gud  heill  of  body, 
quhilk  may  be  preferrit  to  all  riches,  as  weil  knawis  thir  men  that 
hes  experience  of  lang  infirmiteis.  Forthir,  gif  the  peple  be  m^ist 
riche,  that  standis  sa  content  with  thair  awin  guddis,  that  thay  ^- 
vet  na  utheris,  I  say  thir  peple  ar  als  happy  as  ony  uthir  peple  of 
the  warld.  Forthir,  gif  ony  man  wald  say  thir  thingis  that  I  writ 
ar  vane,  considrin  I  wes  nevir  in  thir  Ihs ;  I  say,  I  wes  weil  informit 
of  thame  be  ane  noble  man,  Edward,  sum  time  Bischop  of  Orknay : 
for  to  this  Bischop  come  ane  man  out  of  thir  Ihs,  and  nocht  alla- 
nerlie  schew  thir  thingis,  with  all  circumstance  afore  rehersit,  bot  als 
verifyit  thaim  be  himself ;  for  he  passit  the  commoun  stature  of  men, 
and  sa  wicht,  that  na  man  durst  contend  nor  wersle  with  him ;  and 
he  wes  fairer  of  vis-ige  and  hide,  than  wes  ony  lady  of  the  warld. 
Be  thir  reasonis  apperis,  that  the  auctorite  of  thay  auctouris  is  na 
worth,  that  say  is,  all  peple  far  fra  the  sonne  ar  harbour  and  miser- 
able ;  for  thair  is  na  happiar  creaturis  in  the  warld  than  tliir  peple 
of  thir  landis  forsaid.  Amang  the  rochis  and  craggis  of  thir  His 
growis  ane  maner  of  electuar  and  goum,  hewit  like  gold,  and  sa  at- 
tractive of  nature,  that  it  drawis  stra,  flox,  or  hemmis  of  claithis  to 
it,  on  the  samin  maner  as  dois  ane  adamont  stane.  This  goume  is 
generat  of  see  froith,  quhilk  is  cassin  up  be  continewal  repercussion 
of  craggis  aganis  the  see  wallis  ;  and,  throw  ithand  motioun  of  the 
see,  it  growis  als  teuch  as  glew,  ay  mair  and  mair ;  quhill,  at  last,  it 


DISCRIPTION  OF  ALBION.  liii 

fallis  doun  of  the  crag  in  the  see.  It  is  said,  be  thaim  that  hes  ex- 
perience thairof,  that  this  goum,  quhen  it  lyis  on  the  crag,  is  like 
ane  froith  and  blob  of  watter ;  becaus  it  is  nocht  than  sufficientlie 
wrocht  be  motioun  of  the  see.  Oftimes  the  see  tangle  is  found  in- 
volvit  with  this  goume ;  becaus  it  is  doung  heir  and  thair  sa  mony 
wayis  be  alluvion  of  watter,  and,  sa  lang  as  it  fletis,  it  is  sone  invol- 
vit  with  ony  thing  that  it  metis.  Twa  yeir  afore  the  cumin  of  this 
buke  to  licht,  arrivit  ane  gret  lomp  of  this  goum  in  Buchquhane, 
als  mekle  as  ane  hors ;  and  wes  brocht  hame  be  the  hu'dis,  quhilkis 
wer  kepand  thair  beistis,  to  thair  housis,  and  cassin  in  the  fire.  And, 
becaus  thay  fand  ane  smelland  odour  thairwith,  thay  schew  to  thair 
maister,  that  it  wes  ganand  for  the  sens  that  is  maid  in  the  kirkis, 
Thair  maister  wes  ane  rud  man  as  thay  wer ;  and  tuke  bot  ane  litill 
part  thairof,  and  left  the  remanent  behind  him,  as  mater  of  litill  ef- 
fect. All  the  partis  of  this  goum,  quhen  it  wes  brokin,  wes  of  the 
hew  of  gold,  and  schane  like  the  licht  of  ane  candill.  The  maist 
part  of  this  goum  and  electuare  wes  distroyit  be  rUd  peple,  afore  it 
come  to  ony  wise  mannis  eris ;  of  quhome  may  be  verifyit  the  pro- 
verb, The  sow  curis  na  balme.  Als  sone  as  I  wes  advertist  thairof, 
I  maid  sic  diligence,  that  ane  part  of  it  wes  brocht  to  me  at  Abir- 
dene.  Thir  ar  the  maist  notable  thingis  that  we  culd  find  concern- 
ing the  His  of  Albioun,  Orknay,  and  Schetland. 

Thus,  it  wer  neidfull  to  put  ane  end  to  our  Cosmographie,  wer 
nocht  ane  uncouth  and  wounderfull  historie  taris  a  litill  our  pen. 
Maister  James  Ogilby,  with  uthir  noble  men,  wes  send  as  ambassa- 
touris  fra  the  maist  noble  prince  King  James  the  Feird  to  the  King 
of  France ;  and,  be  tempest  of  see,  thay  wer  constranit  to  land  in 
Norroway,  quhare  thay  saw,  nocht  far  fra  thaim,  mony  wild  men, 
nakit  and  roch,  on  the  same  maner  as  thay  ar  paintit :  and,  at  last, 
thay  gat  advertising  be  landwart  peple,  that  thay  wer  doum  beistis, 
under  the  figure  of  men.  In  time  of  nicht,  thay  usit  to  cum  in  gret 
cumpanyis  to  landwart  villagis ;  and,  quhair  thay  find  na  doggis, 
thay  brek  up  durris,  and  slayis  al  the  peple  that  thay  find  thairin- 
till.  Als  sone  as  thay  heir  the  nois  of  doggis,  thay  evanis,  and  dar 
nocht  abide.  Thay  ar  of  sa  huge  strenth,  that  sura  times  thay  pull 
up  treis  be  the  rutis,  and  fechtis  thairwith  amang  thaim  self.  The 
ambassatouris  wer  astonist  be  thir  monstouris,  and  maid  stark  waches. 


liv  THE  NEW  MANERIS  AND 

with  gret  firis  birnand  all  nicht ;  and,  on  the  morow,  thay  pullit  up 
salis,  and  departit.  Forthir,  thir  Norrowav  men  schew  to  the  said 
ambassatouris,  that  thair  wes  nocht  far  fra  thaim  ane  peple  that 
swomit  all  the  simer  like  fische  in  the  see,  leiffand  ay  on  fische;  and 
in  the  winter,  becaus  the  watter  is  cald,  thay  leif  of  wild  beistis  that 
discendis  fx-a  the  montanis ;  and  sum  time  bringis  thir  bestis  hame 
to  thair  covis. 

And  sa  endis  heir  the  Cosmographie  and  Discriptioun  of  Scot- 
land. 


j 

©m^ 

rB  1^ 

S  il^SSM^ 

Ane  prudent  doctrine  maid  be  the  Auctonre,  concerning  baiih  the 
new  Maneris  and  the  auld  of  Scottis. 

EcAUs  sindry  nobill  men  hes  desirit  me  to  schaw  the 
auld  maneris  of  Scottis,  quhilkis  ar  skatterit  in  sindry 
partis  of  this  Buke,  under  ane  compendius  treit,  that  it 
may  be  knawin,  how  far  we,  in  thir  present  dayis,  ar 
different  fra  the  maneris  and  leiffing  of  our  auld  faderis  :  and  thoucht 
I  knaw  na  thing  bettar,  bot  the  schawing  thairof  will  draw  me  in 
hatrent  of  sindry  gret  personagis ;  for  few  ar,  that  may  suffir  thair 
vices  to  be  taxit,  or  thaimself  to  be  repi'evit ;  yit,  becaus  I  stand  sum 
part  under  the  reverence  of  thir  nobill  men  forsaid,  I  have  condis- 
cendit,  as  I  may,  to  thair  desiris.  For  thay  allege,  it  will  be  prof- 
fitable  to  the  rederis ;  speciallie  to  sik  men,  that  ar  nocht  gevin  ouir 
immoderatlie  to  thair  awin  affectioun,  nor  yit  ouir  mekill  sopit  in 
sensuall  pleseir  ;  for  sik  men  may  be  reducit  fra  thair  errouris. 
And,  thairfore,  I  intend,  first,  to  schaw,  quhat  maneris  hes  bene 
amang  our  eldaris,  baith  in  time  of  weir  and  peace ;  and  be  quhat 
ingine,  wisdome,  and  chevelrie,  thay  have  debatit  aganis  sa  mony 
strong  ennimes,  howbeit  thair  ennimes  come  oftimes  in  this  realme 
with  maist  dangerus  incursionis:  and,  finalie,  we  will  schaw,  how 
the  notable  strenth,  vigour,  and  soverane  virtew,  failyeit  ay  the  mair 
amang  thaim,  that  thay  declinit  fra  the  temperance  of  thair  eldaris : 


THE  AULD  OF  SCOTTIS.  Iv 

quhill,  at  last,  it  is  cumin  to  thir  dayis,  in  quhilkis  we  leif  in  gret 
tranquillite ;  howbeit  the  samin  is  mair  be  benevolence  and  sleuth 
of  our  nichtbouris,  than  ony  manlie  prowis  of  our  self.  Now  will  I 
schaw,  the  schortest  way  I  may,  how  we,  in  thir  present  dayis,  ar 
drownit  in  all  maner  of  avarice  and  lust.  Yit  I  belief,  that  sic  men 
as  ar  of  severe  life,  following  the  temperance  of  thair  eldaris,  sail 
rejose  to  heir  the  honourable  maneris  of  thair  eldaris ;  utheris,  that 
ar  of  mair  brutall  and  vicius  life,  seing  thair  vices  taxit  with  sic  dis- 
honour, sail  dres  thaim  plesandlie  to  revert,  fra  thair  evil  and  schame- 
full  dedis,  to  better  life.  First,  I  suppone,  that  the  thing  that  I  say, 
in  repreving  the  corruppit  maneris  of  the  warld  now  present,  be  nocht 
takin  in  repreif  of  every  man;  bot  allanerlie  to  sik  men  that  leiffis 
with  intemperance:  for  sik  men  deservis  mair  repreif  than  I  may 
gif  thaim  at  this  time.  And  gif  ony  man  findis  his  bile  opnit  for 
purgatioun  be  me,  that  he  hide  nocht  liis  infirmite,  bot  erar  seik  the 
best  rameid  he  may,  to  amend  his  life. 

Our  eldaris,  howbeit  thay  wer  richt  virtewis  baith  in  weir  and 
peace,  wer  maist  exercit  with  temperance ;  for  it  is  the  fontane  of  all 
virtew.  Thay  wer  of  temperat  sleip,  meit,  and  drink,  and  sic  re- 
fectionis  as  wer  preparit  with  htill  laubour  or  cost.  Thair  breid  wes 
maid  of  sic  stuf  as  grew  maist  esalie  on  the  ground.  Thair  vitallis 
wer  nocht  siftit,  as  we  do  now,  to  mak  thaim  delicius  to  the  mouth ; 
,  bot  wer  all  ground  togidder  under  ane  forme.  The  flesche  maist 
frequent  amang  thame,  wes  othir  wild  flesche,  won  on  the  fellis  be 
thair  hunting,  quhilk  maid  thaim  of  incredible  strenth ;  or  ellis  it 
wes  of  thair  awin  tame  bestial,  specially  beif,  as  we  do  yit  in  our 
dayis:  howbeit  we  ar  richt  far  different  fra  the  use  and  custome  of 
all  uthir  nationis.  The  steirkis,  quhen  thay  ar  bot  young  vehs,  ax 
othir  slane,  or  ellis  libbit  to  be  oxin,  to  manure  the  land ;  bot  the 
quiokis  war  nevir  slane  quhill  thay  wer  with  calfe,  for  than  thay  ar 
fattest,  and  maist  dehcius  to  the  mouth.  The  common  meit  of  our 
eldaris  was  fische ;  nocht  for  the  plente  of  it,  bot  erar  becaus  thair 
landis  lay  oftimes  waist,  throw  continewal  exercition  of  chevelry,  and 
for  that  caus  thay  leiffit  maist  of  fische.  Thay  disjunit  airly  in  the 
morning  with  smal  refectioun,  and  sustenit  thair  liffis  thairwith  quhil 
the  time  of  sowper ;  throw  quhilk  thair  stomok  was  nevir  surfetly 
chargit,  to  empesche  thaim  of  uthir  besines.     At  the  sowper  thay 


Ivi  THE  NEW  MANERIS  AND 

war  niair  large ;  howbeit  thay  had  bot  ane  cours.    Quhen  thay  kest 
thaimself  to  be  mery,  thay  usit  maist  aqua  vite ;  nocht  maid  of  cost- 
ly spicis,  bot  of  sic  naturall  herbis  as  grew  in  thair  awin  yardis.  The 
common  drink  that  thay  usit  was  aill ;  and,  in  time  of  weir,  quhen 
thay  lay  in  thair  tentis,  thay  usit  nocht  bot  watter.     Ilk  man  hatl 
als  mekill  mele  as  micht  suffice  him  for  the  day,  and  maid  breid 
thairof  at  the  fire  ;  on  the  samin  maner  as  the  Romanis  did,  specialy 
Antonius  Caratallus,  Empriour.     Thay  had  sendill  flesche  in  thair 
campis,  bot  gif  it  war  w(m  be  pray  of  ennimes.    Thay  eit,  for  com- 
mon, flesche  half  raw ;  for  the  saup  is  maist  nurisand  in  that  maner. 
Attoui'e,  thay  had  ay  with  thaim  ane  gret  vessell,  wrocht  full  of 
butter,  cheis,  mele,  milk,  and  vinacre,  temperit  togidder ;  be  quhilk 
thay  saiffit  thair  liffis  mony  dayis  fra  extreme  hungar,  soukand  the 
jus  and  humouris  thairof,  quhen  na  vittallis,  throw  incursionis  of 
ennimes,  micht  be  found.    And,  howbeit  thay  had  peace  with  thair 
ennimes,  thay  suflf'erit  nocht  thair  bodyis  to  be  corruppit  with  sleuth  ; 
bot  wer  exercit  othir  in  continewall  hunting ;  for  in  that  game  was 
gret  honour  amang  our  eldaris ;  or  ellis  thay  had  exercition  of  rin- 
ning,  sum  times  fra  the  planes  to  the  montanis,  and  fra  the  mon- 
tanis  to  the  planis ;  or  ellis  thay  war  exercit  in  wirsling,  or  utliir 
corjiorall  exercition.     Thay  had  thair  hedis  ay  cowit,  as  the  Span- 
yeartis  usis ;  but  ony  bonet  or  cover,  les  than  thay  war  trublit  with 
infirmite.    Nane  of  thame,  throw  ithand  cowing  of  thair  hedis,  grew 
beld.  Thay  yeid  commonly  bairfutit ;  and,  gif  thay  had  ony  schone, 
thay  dippit  thaim  first  in  the  watter  or  tha,y  put  thaim  on,  specialy 
in  winter  quhen  maist  schill  and  persand  stormes  apperit,  that  thair 
soUis,  quhilkis  war  hardin  with  the  hetis  of  the  semer  and  snawis  of 
winter,  suld  be  the  mair  abil  to  sustene  laubour.    Thair  abulyement 
was  not  maid  be  motion  of  insolence,  bot  erar  efter  the  general  gise 
of  the  cuntre.     Thair  hois  war  maid  of  smal  lint  or  woll,  and  yeid 
uevir  above  thair  kne,  to  make  thaim  the  mair  waldin  and  sowpill. 
The  mantillis  that  thay  usit  in  winter  wes  maid  of  gros  woll ;  and 
in  semer  wes  maid  of  small  and  finest  woll  that  thay  micht  get.  Thay 
slepit  on  benkis,  or  bonchis  of  stra,  bot  ony  cover ;  and  lernit  thair 
sonnis,  fra  thair  first  yeris,  to  eschew  eis,  and  to  sleip  on  the  samin 
maner.     Ilk  moder  wes  nurice  to  her  awin  barne.     It  was  ane  sus- 
pition  of  adultre  aganis  ony  woman,  quhare  hir  milk  failyeit.     The 


THE  AULD  OF  SCOTTIS.  Ivii 

wemen  thocht  thair  barnis  war  not  tender  nor  kindly  to  thaim,  bot 
gif  thay  war  nurist  als  weill  with  the  milk  of  thair  breist,  as  thay 
war  nurist  afore  with  the  blude  of  thair  wambe.  Attoure,  thay  held 
that  thair  barnis  war  degenerat  fra  than'  nature  and  kind,  gif  thay 
war  nurist  with  uncouth  milk.  Thay  war  sa  accustomit  with  ithand 
pine  and  laubouris,  that  thay  curit  nothir  the  fervent  heites  of  the 
semer,  nor  yit  the  schil  frostis  in  the  winter.  Thay  traveht  maist 
on  thair  fute ;  and,  in  the  time  of  weir,  thay  had  thair  cariagis  and 
vittallis  turst  with  thaim  on  thair  hors  :  and,  quhen  dangeir  occurrit, 
thay  refusit  na  maner  of  besines  nor  laubour  that  micht  pertene  to 
forsy  campionis.  Gif  it  hapnit  thaim,  be  mischance,  to  be  vincust, 
thay  fled  with  sic  spede  to  the  montanis,  that  na  horsmen  micht 
ouirtak  thaim.  The  injure  done  to  ony  ane  of  thaim,  was  repute 
sa  common  to  thaim  al,  that  thay  wald  nevu*  evoid  the  displeseir 
thairof  out  of  thair  hertis,  quliill  the  samin  war  recompansit  with 
the  blude  of  thair  ennimes.  He  that  wes  maist  noble,  desirit  erest 
to  fecht  in  the  wangard,  quhare  his  vassalage  and  manlieid  micht  be 
maist  knawin.  The  nobillis  and  commonis  contendit  quhay  suld  be 
maist  faithful  to  othir ;  and  quhen  the  capitane,  throw  his  fers  spreit 
and  hardines,  apperit  in  ony  extreme  dangeir  of  ennimes,  all  the 
band  that  was  of  his  opinion,  ruschit  sa  fersly  to  his  defence,  that 
othir  thay  dehverit  him  out  of  that  present  dangeir,  or  ellis  all  at 
anis  lois  thair  lives  with  him.  The  sepulturis  of  all  nobillis  war  de- 
corit  with  als  mony  hie  stanis,  rising  about  the  same,  as  he  had  slane 
afore  of  ennimes  in  his  life.  He  that  was  found  in  the  army  but 
flint  and  furisine,  or  but  his  swerd  beltit  fast  to  his  sidis,  was  schame- 
fully  scurgit ;  and  he  that  said  his  swerd,  or  laid  it  to  wed,  was  de- 
gradit  of  auctorite,  and  banist,  as  unworthy  creature,  out  of  thair 
cumpany.  He  that  fled  in  time  of  battall,  or  departit  fra  the  army 
without  command  of  the  capitane,  was  slane,  but  ony  dowme,  quhare 
evir  he  micht  be  apprehendit ;  bot  his  gudis  war  gevin  to  his  sonne. 
The  wemen  war  of  litil  les  vassalage  and  strenth  than  was  the  men ; 
for  al  rank  madinnis  and  wiffis,  gif  thay  war  nocht  with  child,  yeid 
als  Weill  to  battall  as  the  men.  Als  sone  as  the  army  was  passand 
forthwart,  thay  slew  the  first  levand  beist  that  thay  fand ;  aud  nocht 
allanerly  baithit  thair  swerdis  with  the  blude  thairof,  bot  taistit  the 

VOL.  I.  H 


Jviii  THE  NEW  MANERIS  AND 

samiti  with  thair  mouth,  with  na  les  rehgion  and  faith,  than  thay 
had  bene  than  sicker  of  sum  fehcite  following.  Gif  thay  saw  thair 
awin  blude  in  battall,  thay  grew  nocht  astonist;  bot,  boldin  in  maist 
brime  fury,  set  thaim  to  revenge  the  samin.  In  all  battallis  assail- 
yeit  be  tliaim,  thay  socht  nevir  victory  be  treason,  falset,  nor  slicht ; 
and  thocht  ay  degrading  to  thair  nobilite,  to  vincus  thair  ennimes 
with  ony  othir  thing  bot  force  of  fechting.  Thay  held  it  for  gret 
febilnes  to  revenge  ony  displeseir,  hatrent,  or  slauchter,  be  treason ; 
attour,  sencerite  and  simpilnes  was  equaly  honorit  amang  thaim  all. 
Quhen  thay  war  to  pas  on  thair  ennimes,  ilk  man  yeid,  as  we  do  now, 
apon  his  awin  cost,  except  sa  mony  as  war  wagit.  He  that  was  tru- 
blit  with  the  falling  evil,  or  fallin  daft  or  wod,  or  havand  sic  infir- 
mite  as  succedis  be  heritage  fra  the  fader  to  the  son,  was  geldit; 
that  his  infeckit  blude  suld  spreid  na  forthir.  The  wemen  that  was 
fallin  lipper,  or  had  ony  othir  infection  of  blude,  was  banist  fra  the 
cumpany  of  men ;  and,  gif  scho  consavit  barne  under  sic  infirmite, 
baith  scho  and  hir  barne  war  buryit  quik.  AD  dronkattis,  glutonis, 
and  consumers  of  vittallis,  mair  than  was  necessar  to  the  sustenta- 
tion  of  men,  were  tane,  and  first  commandit  to  swelly  thair  fouth  of 
quhat  drink  thay  plesit,  and  incontinent  thairefter  was  drownit  in 
ane  fresche  rever.  Forthir,  howbeit  thay  had  na  administratioun  of 
justice  in  time  of  weir,  yit  sic  justice  was  ministerd  in  time  of  peace, 
that  oftimes  thay  war  ouir  severe  in  thair  punition ;  for  thay  knew 
weil,  fra  thair  pepil  wer  drawin  fra  battall  to  peace,  thay  suld  be 
gevin  to  sa  mony  enormiteis,  that  the  samin  micht  nocht  be  dantit 
but  gret  punition.  For  the  pepill  war  of  sic  nature,  als  sone  as  thay 
knew  thaimself  gilty  of  ony  offence  committit  aganis  the  kingis 
majeste  or  commounweill,  thay  set  thaim  to  rais  divisioun  amang 
the  gret  princis  of  the  realme :  nochtheles,  quhen  thay  ar  tretit 
with  soft  and  moderat  empire,  thay  ar  found  richt  humane  and  meke 
pepil,  richt  obeysand  to  reason ;  and  nocht  allanerly  kepis  thair  faith 
efter  the  reason  of  thair  contract,  bot  gevis  ane  go\vpin,  or  ellis  sum 
thingis  mair  abone  the  just  mesure  that  thay  sell.  This  consuetude 
is  sa  straitly  kepit,  that  gif  the  samin  be  nocht  done,  the  biar  wiU 
nocht  stand  to  the  contract  of  merchandice.  Thay  usit  the  ritis  and 
maneris  of  Egyptianis,  fra  quhome  thay  tuk  thair  first  beginning. 
In  all  thair  secret  besines,  thay  usit  not  to  writ  with  common  letteris 


THE  AULD  OF  SCOTTIS.  lix 

usit  amang  othir  pepil,  bot  erar  with  sifars  and  figuris  of  beistis 
maid  in  maner  of  letteris ;  sic  as  thair  epithafis,  and  superscriptioun 
abone  thair  sepulturis,  schawls:  nochtheles,  this  crafty  maner  of 
writing,  be  quhat  sleuth  I  can  not  say,  is  perist ;  and  yit  thay  have 
certane  letteris  propir  amang  thaimself,  quhilkis  war  sum  time  vul- 
gar and  commoun.  Forthir,  thay  that  spekis  with  the  auld  toimg 
of  that  cuntre,  hes  thair  asperatioun,  thair  diptongis,  and  thair 
pronunciation,  better  than  ony  othir  pepill.  The  commonis  ar 
nocht  exercit  thairwith ;  bot  allanerly  thay  that  dwellis  in  the  hie 
partis  of  the  land :  and,  becaus  thir  men  hes  thair  langage  mair  elo- 
quent and  propir  than  the  commonis  hes,  thay  ar  callit  poetis ;  and 
makis  poetis,  effering  to  thair  eruditioun  and  science,  with  mony 
gret  cerimonyis.  Beside  mony  craftis  and  science,  quhilkis  thay 
have  translatit  in  thair  awin  toving,  thay  profes  maist  the  science  of 
medcinary,  and  ar  richt  excellent  in  it ;  for  thay  knaw  the  nature  of 
every  herbe  that  growis  in  thay  cuntreis,  and  curis  all  maner  of  ma- 
ledyis  thairwith.  Heirfore  I  say,  thair  is  na  region  in  the  warld  sa 
barrant  nor  unfrutfull,  be  distance  fra  the  sonne,  bot,  be  providence 
of  God,  all  maner  of  necessaryis,  to  the  sustentatioun  of  man,  may 
be  gottin  plesandly  in  it,  gif  thair  war  sic  pepill  that  culd  laubour 
it,  effering  to  the  nature  thairof.  Nochtheles,  as  our  eldaris,  quhilkis 
dwelt  con  tine  wally  merchand  with  the  realme  of  Ingland,  lernit  the 
Saxonis  toung,  be  frequent  jeoperdeis  and  chance  of  battall,  sustenit 
mony  yeris  aganis  thaim ;  sa  the  pepill,  now  present  in  Scotland, 
hes  tint  baith  the  langage  and  maneris  of  writing  usit  sum  time  be 
our  eldaris,  and  hes  now  ane  new  maner  of  writingris  and  lano-a£re : 
howbeit,  the  Hieland  hes  baith  the  writingis  and  langage  as  thay  had 
afore,  mair  ingenius  than  ony  othir  pepill.  How  may  thair  be  ane 
greter  ingine,  than  to  make  ane  bait  of  ane  bull  hid,  bound  with  na 
thing  bot  wandis  ?  This  bait  is  callit  ane  currok  ;  with  the  quhilk 
thay  flsche  salmond,  and  sum  time  passis  ouir  gret  rivers  thairwith ; 
and,  quhen  thay  have  done  thair  fisching,  thay  beir  it  to  ony  place, 
on  thair  bak,  quhare  thay  pleis.  Bot  we  wil  return  to  the  maneris 
of  our  anciant  freindis. 

Be  chance  of  sindry  seasonis,  specialy  about  the  time  of  King 
Malcolme  Canmore,  al  thingis  began  to  change.  For  quhen  oure 
nichtbouris,  the  Britonis,  war  maid  effeminat  be  lang  sleuth,  and 


Ix  THE  NEW  MANERIS  AND 

doung  out  of  Britane  be  the  Saxonis  in  Walls,  we  began  to  have  al- 
hance,  be  proximite  of  Romanis,  with  IngUsmen ;  specially  efter  the 
exterminioun  of  Pichtis :  and,  be  frequent  and  daily  cumpany  of 
thaim,  we  began  to  rute  thair  langage  and  superflew  maneris  in 
oure  breistis ;  throw  quhilk  the  virtew  and  temperance  of  our  eldaris 
began  to  be  of  litil  estimation  amang  us.  Than  we  war  gevin,  ef- 
ter the  arrogance  and  pride  of  Inglismen,  to  vane  glore  and  ambu- 
tion  of  honouris,  and  began  that  time  to  seke  new  names  of  nobilite  ; 
howbeit,  afore  thay  dayis,  he  was  maist  nobil,  that  was  decorit  mair 
with  virtew  than  riches,  confiding  mair  in  his  awin  dedis,  than  in 
ony  dedis  of  his  eldaris.  Than  began,  in  Scotland,  the  maneris  of 
Dukis,  Erlis,  Lordis,  and  Baronis ;  for  afore  thay  dayis,  the  prin- 
cipal! men  of  Scotland  under  the  king  war  callit  Thanis,  that  is  to 
say,  Gadderaris  of  the  Kingis  malis ;  and  war  ay  rewardit  be  the 
king,  as  thair  faith  and  virtew  deservit.  Bot  now  I  beleif  nane  lies 
sic  eloquence,  nor  fouth  of  langage,  that  can  sufficiently  declare, 
how  far  we,  in  thir  present  dayis,  ar  different  fra  the,  virtew  and  tem- 
perance of  our  eldaris.  For  quhare  our  eldaris  had  sobriete,  we 
have  ebriete  and  dronkinnes ;  quhare  thay  had  plente  with  sufficence, 
we  have  immoderat  cursis  with  superfluite ;  as  he  war  maist  noble 
and  honest,  that  culd  devore  and  swelly  maist :  and,  be  extreme  de- 
ligence,  serchis  sa  mony  deligat  coursis,  that  thay  provoke  the  sto- 
mok  to  ressave  mair  than  it  may  sufficiently  degest;  throw  quhilk 
we  ingorge  and  fillis  our  self,  day  and  nicht,  sa  full  of  metis  and 
drinkis,  that  we  can  nocht  abstene,  quhill  our  wambe  be  sa  swon, 
that  it  is  unabil  to  ony  virtewis  occupation.  And  nocht  allanerly 
may  surfet  dennar  and  sowper  suffice  us,  abone  the  temperance  of 
oure  eldaris,  bot  als  to  continew  our  schamefull  and  immoderit  vo- 
)-acite  with  duble  dennaris  and  sowparis ;  throw  quhilk  mony  of  us 
ganis  to  na  othir  besines  bot  to  fil  and  teme  our  wembe  Attour  to 
continew  this  schamefull  intemperance,  abone  the  necessar  sustenta- 
tion  of  nature,  we  geif  us  to  sic  unhappy  laubour,  that  na  fische  in 
the  see,  nor  foule  in  the  aire,  nor  best  in  the  wod,  may  have  rest ; 
bot  socht  heir  and  thair,  to  satisfy  the  hungry  appetit  of  glutonis. 
Nocht  allanerly  ar  winis  socht  in  France,  bot  in  Spainye,  Italy,  and 
Grece ;  and,  sum  time,  baith  Aphrik  and  Asia  socht,  for  new  deli- 
cius  metis  and  winis,  to  the  samin  effect.  Thus  is  the  warld  sa  uter- 


THE  AULD  OF  SCOTTIS.  Ixi 

ly  socht,  that  all  maner  of  droggis  and  electuaris,  that  may  nuris  the 
lust  and  insolence  of  pepill,  ar  brocht  in  Scotland,  with  maist  sump- 
tuus  price,  to  na  les  dammage  than  perdition  of  the  pepill  thairof : 
for,  throw  this  immoderat  glutony,  our  wit  and  reason  ar  sa  blindit 
within  the  presoun  of  the  body,  that  it  may  have  no  knawlage  of 
hevinly  thingis ;  for  the  body  is  involvit  with  sic  clowdis  of  fatnes, 
that,  howbeit  it  be  of  gud  complexioun  be  nature,  it  is  sa  opprest 
with  superflew  metis  and  drinkis,  that  it  may  nothir  weild,  nor  yit 
ouir  the  self;  bot,  confessand  the  self  vincust,  gevis  place  to  all  in- 
firmiteis,  quhill  it  be  miserably  distroyit :  as  apperis  be  sindry  expe- 
rience. For  mony  of  our  pepill,  in  remot  and  in  maist  cauld  region, 
ar  strikin  oftimes  with  maist  vehement  fever,  thair  inwart  bowellis 
blesand  as  thay  war  in  ane  ithand  fire ;  quhilkis  cumis  of  sic  spicery 
and  uncouth  droggis,  brocht  out  of  remot  cuntreis  in  this  regioun. 
Utheris  of  thaim  ar  sa  swoUin,  and  growin  full  of  humouris,  that 
thay  ar  strikin  haistely  deid  in  the  poplesy ;  and,  howbeit  thay  re- 
cover for  ane  schort  time  efter,  thay  ar  bot  ane  deid  pepill ;  levand, 
and  buryit  in  sepulture,  havand  bot  ane  schadow  of  life.  The  young 
pepill  and  barnis,  following  thir  unhappy  customis  of  thair  faderis, 
gevis  thameself  to  lust  and  insolence,  havand  all  virtuus  occupation 
and  craftis  in  contemptioun ;  and,  becaus  thay  ar  lang  customit  and 
hantit  thairwith,  quhen  time  occurris  of  weir  to  defend  the  cuntre, 
thay  ar  sa  efFeminat  and  soft,  thay  pas  on  hors  as  hevy  martis ;  and 
ar  sa  fat  and  growin,  that  thay  may  do  na  thing  in  compare  of  the 
soverane  manheid  of  thair  eldaris.  Als  sone  as  thay  ar  returnit  hame, 
becaus  thair  guddis  ar  not  sufficient  to  nuris  thame  in  voluptuus  life 
and  pleseir  of  thau-  wambe,  thay  ar  gevin  to  all  maner  of  avarice ; 
and  othir  castis  thame  to  be  Strang  and  maistrifull  thevis,  or  ellis 
sawaris  of  dissention  amang  the  nobillis. 

Thir,  and  mony  othir  enormiteis  following  thaim,  procedis  origi- 
naly  fra  the  fontane  of  voluptuus  leving  and  intemperance.  Nocht- 
theles,  wald  we  refrene  us  thairfra,  I  wait  thair  is  na  region  under 
the  Sonne  mair  halsum,  nor  les  subdewit  to  pestilence ;  nor  yit  mair 
commodius  and  nurisand  of  the  hfe  of  man.  Yit  I  am  nocht  sa  dis- 
parit,  bot  traistis,  within  schort  time,  that  all  corruppit  maneris  of 
our  pepill  sal  be  reparit  to  ane  better  fassoun :  for  nocht  allanerly, 
in  sindry  partis  of  this  realme,  remanis  yit  the  futsteppis  of  mony 


ixii  THE  KINGIS  OF  BRITANE 

auld  virtewis  usit  sum  time  amang  our  eldaris,  bot  als  risis  every  day 
new  fervent  devotioun,  to  the  ornament  of  Cristin  faith.  Ane  thing 
I  will  say,  under  reverence  of  uthir  realmes ;  thair  was  nevir  pepill 
mair  sicker  in  the  Cristin  faith,  nor  yit  mair  constant  in  thair  faith- 
ful promis,  than  the  Scottis  hes  bene,  ay  sen  thair  first  beginning ; 
and,  thairfore,  I  say  ane  thing  finaly,  nocht  allanerly  for  thair  lov- 
ing, bot  als  in  exhortation  of  thair  perseverance :  In  sa  far  as  our 
pepill,  presently  levand  in  this  region,  passis  thair  eldaris  in  sump- 
tuus  and  riatus  abulyement,  in  sa  far  thay  ar  mair  eligant  and  ho- 
nest in  thair  housis  and  letteris,  and  mair  magnificent  than  afore  in 
ornament  of  thair  kirkis  and  templis.  Thus  want  thay  na  maner  of 
virtew  that  thair  eldaris  had,  except  the  temperance  of  thair  bodyis : 
to  quhilk  mot  bring  thame  haistely  the  blissit  Lord  !     Amen. 


Followis,  Ane  Compendius  Recapitulation  of  all  Kingis  of  Britane ; 
sen  the  first  beginning  thairqf,  to  the  time  of  King  Henry  the 
VIII. 

He  history  of  Scotland  is  sa  implicat  with  the  history 
of  Ingland,  that  it  is  difficill  to  knaw.  And  becaus  the 
crown  of  Ingland  hes  bene  josit  with  sindry  pepill,  be 

sindry  chances  and  variance  oftimes,  I  thocht  expedient, 

for  commodite  and  pleseir  of  rederis,  to  nowmer  thair  genelogy  first 
fra  Brutus ;  be  quhom  the  Britonis  war  brocht  out  of  Grece  in  this 
He  of  Albion,  fra  the  beginning  of  the  warld,  mmmm.xxvit  yeris; 
and  josit  the  crown  of  Britane  be  the  space  of  M.c.xvi  yeris.  In 
quhilk  time,  thay  war  invadit  cruelly  be  JuKus  Cesar ;  and  not  on- 
ly vincust,  bot  thair  realm  maid  tributar,  in  forme  of  province.  And 
howbeit  thir  Britonis  had  kingis  lang  time  namit  of  the  Britonis  blud, 
yit  thair  realme  was  governit  ay  be  Romanis,  to  the  yeir  of  God, 
cccc. XXXVI  yeris :  and  in  that  season  thay  war  subdewit  to  Scottis 
and  Pichtis ;  and  nocht  allanerly  maid  tributaris  to  thaim  xxx  yeris, 
bot  o-aif  ouir  mekill  of  thair  landis  to  the  empire  of  Scottis  and 
Pichtis :  as  Paulus  Diaconus,  Beda,  Sabellicus,  and  mony  othir  re- 
cent  authouris,  schawis  at  lenth  in  thair  historyis.    Nochtheles,  thir 


TO  KING  HENRY  THE  VIII. 


1X111 


Britonis,  impatient  to  sustene  the  empire  of  barbar  pepill,  becaus 
thay  war  accustomit  afore  with  Romane  pleseiris,  chesit  Constantine, 
the  son  of  Androenus,  Duke  of  Bertanye,  to  be  king,  in  hatrent  of 
Scottis  and  Pichtis.  This  Constantine  come  with  sic  pissance  and 
army  in  Britane,  that  he  dehverit  the  Britonis  of  all  servitude,  and 
recoverit  than-  realme  fra  our  redemption,  cccc.lxv  yeris.  Efter 
Constantine,  rang  Constantius,  his  son ;  and  efter  Constantius,  rang 
Vortigern,  the  space  of  xxii  yeris.  In  the  mene  time,  the  Scotti? 
and  Pichtis  rais  with  sic  army,  chat  thay  almaist  subde^vit  the 
Britonis  agane  to  servitude.  Throw  quhilk,  Vortigern  wes  con- 
stranit  to  seke  support  of  Saxonis ;  and,  be  thair  weris,  resistit  cer- 
taiie  yeris,  al  invasion  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis :  quhiU,  at  last,  he  was 
tane  be  slicht  of  Hengist,  and  brocht  to  extreme  servitude ;  and  ba- 
nist,  with  aU  the  Britonis,  in  Walis.  Thus  come  the  remanent 
boundis  of  Britane  under  the  empire  of  Hengist,  and  called  Hen- 
gisUand,  and  the  pepiU  thairof  Hengistis  men ;  hot  now,  be  cor- 
ruption of  langage,  the  realme  is  caUit  Ingland,  and  the  pepill  In- 
glismen.  The  Britonis  war  not  onely  disparit  be  this  trubil,  bot, 
mony  yeris  efter,  faucht  aganis  Inglismen  be  King  Arthure,' with' 
sindiy  chancis  of  fortoun ;  bot,  efter  his  deith,  thay  war  subdewit 
agane,  and  content  to  be  callit  Inghsmen,  under  ane  name  with 
Saxonis.  Fra  the  deith  of  King  Arthure,  quhilk  was  in  the  yeir  of 
God  D.xLii  yeris,  to  the  yeir  of  God  m.xvi  yeris,  the  realme  of  Ing- 
land was  gidit  be  Inglismen  ay  under  the  empire  of  ane  king  •  bot 
sone  efter  it  was  devidit  in  vii  sindry  kingdomes ;  and  brocht  ao-ane 
to  the  empire  of  ane  king,  under  the  samin  marchis  that  it  hes  no^^ 
And  not  lang  efter,  it  was  subdewit  and  conquest  be  Danis  •  and 
v  kingis  of  thair  blud,  continewaUy  efter  othir  succeding  •  of  q'uhom 
the  last  was  namit  Hardy  Canute;  quhilk  maid  mony  proude  lawis 
abone  Inglismen,  and  rang  with  sic  tiranny,  that  the  Ino-hsmen  fi 
naly  rebelht,  and  slew  all  the  Danis  within  the  space  of  line  niclu 
Hardy  Canute,  invadit  on  al  sidis,  slew  himself  be  disperation 
The  Inghsmen,  efter  his  slauchter,  creat  Edward,  the  son  of  Kino- 
Eldrede,  thair  king;  for  this  Eldrede  rang  abone  thame  afore  the 
cummg  of  Danis.  Nochtheles  the  Inglismen,  efter  the  slauchter  of 
King  Edward,  quhilk  was  ekit,  for  his  haly  lif,  to  the  nowmer  of 
Sanctis,  dred  that  the  Danis  suld  cum  on  thame  with  new  battall 


Ixiv  THE  KIxNGIS  OF  BRITANE,  &c. 

and  thairfore  creat  Herald  thair  king ;  for  he  was  discendit  baith  of 
the  linnage  of  Inglismen  and  Danis.  Thus  was  Edward,  nevo  to 
Sanct  Edward,  and  bruthir  to  Sanct  Margaret,  the  haly  Quene  of 
Scotland,  disherist  of  the  crown  of  Ingland.  This  Herald,  gevin  to 
rage  and  insolence  of  lust,  maryit  the  douchter  of  William,  Bastard 
of  Normandy,  and,  within  few  dayis  efter,  brocht  hir  in  Ingland.  At 
last,  he  tuk  sic  hatrent  aganis  hir,  and  hir  blud,  that  he  causit  hir  to  be 
schamfully  defo  wlit  with  rebaldis  and  limmaris  of  his  cuntre.  William, 
the  Bastard  and  Duk  of  Normandy,  impatient  to  sustene  this  odius 
offence,  come  in  Ingland  with  gret  army,  and  deprivit  King  Herald 
baith  of  his  life  and  realme  at  anis,  the  yeir  of  God  m.lxvi  yeris ; 
efter  the  first  conques  made  on  thame  be  Danis,  l  yeris.  William, 
the  Bastard  and  Concreour  of  Ingland,  tuk  the  crown  efter  the 
slauchter  of  King  Herald ;  and  causit  the  Normanis  and  Inglismen 
to  incres  togidder  under  ane  blud,  but  ony  memory  of  the  name  of 
Danis.  The  posterite  of  this  William  perseveris  yit,  with  gret  ho- 
nour and  victory,  to  thir  dayis:  regnand  abone  Inglismen  at  this 
time,  King  Hary  the  VIII. ;  quhilk,  for  his  illuster  and  vailyeant 
dedis,  sal  be  put  in  gret  renoun  and  memory  be  our  posterite. 


TABULA. 


Followis,  the  Table  of  the  History ;  contenand  the  mater  of  every 
Buke,  crqftely  severit  be  thaimself. 


VOL   L 

THE  TABLE  OF  THE  FIRST  BUKE. 

How  Gathelus,  our  first  progenitour,  left  the  land  of  Grece,  and 
come  in  Egypt;  and  maryit  Scota,  douchter  to  King  Pharo. 
And  of  his  cuming  to  Spanye.  Chap.  I.  p.  1. 

How  Gathelus  beildit  the  Ciete  of  Brigance,  and  namit  al  his  pepil 
Scottis.    How  he  send  his  ii  sonnis  in  Ireland ;  and  of  his  deceis. 

Chap.  II.  p.  4. 

How  Hemecus  governit  Ireland ;  and  how  Symon  Brek  was  maid 
King  efter  his  deith.  Chap.  III.  p.  7. 

Of  the  gret  posterite  of  Scottis  regnand  in  Ireland,  efter  Simon 
Brek.  Of  the  first  cuming  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis  in  Albion ;  and 
how  the  Pichtis  war  alliat  with  Scottis.  Chap.  IV.  p.  10. 

How  the  Britonis,  be  thair  quent  shchtis,  dissolvit  the  band  of  alli- 
ance betwix  Scottis  and  Pichtis.  Of  the  trubil  that  fel  thairthrow. 

Chap.  V.  p.  12. 

How  the  Pichtis  and  Scottis  maid  thair  ordinance  to  invaid  othir 
be  battal.  How  Ferquhard,  King  of  Ireland,  send  his  son,  Fer- 
gus, with  ane  army,  in  support  of  Scottis,  aganis  the  Pichtis ;  and 
how  the  said  Fergus  was  maid  King.  Chap.  VI.  p.  15. 

VOL.  I.  i 


Ixvi  TABULA.— VOL.  I. 

How  King  Fergus  come  with  gret  ordinance  aganis  the  Pichtis. 
How  the  dissait  of  Britonis  was  discoverit  baith  to  Scottis  and 
Pichtis.  And  of  the  Orisoun  maid  be  Fergus  to  the  King  of 
Pichtis.  Chap.  VII.  p.  17. 

Of  sindry  consultationis  maid  be  Pichtis ;  and  how  thay  war  recoun- 
saht  with  the  Scottis.  Chap.  VIII.  p.  19. 

How  Coil,  King  of  Britonis,  was  slane,  and  his  army  discomfist  be 
Scottis  and  Pichtis.  Chap.  IX.  p.  22. 

Of  King  Fergus  Orison  to  his  nobhs;  and  how  the  crow^n  of  Scot- 
land was  tailyeit  to  him  and  his  successouris. — Chap.  X.  p.  24. 

How  King  Fergus  partit  the  landis  of  Scotland  amang  the  noblis 
of  his  realme.     And  of  the  maneris  of  brigandis. 

Chap.  XL  p.  26. 

How  King  Fergus  maid  concord  betwix  the  princis  of  Ireland ; 
and  how  he  perist  returnand  be  the  Ireland  Seis. 

Chap.  XII.  p.  28. 


THE  TABLE  OF  THE  SECUND  BUKE. 

How  the  Scottis,  efter  King  Fergus  deith,  contendit  for  the  crown. 
And  how  it  was  inhibit  that  young  childrin  sal  be  Kingis. 

Chap.  I.  p.  30. 
Of  King  Ferithais ;  and  of  his  deith.  Chap.  II.  p.  84. 

How  Ferlegus  was  banist  for  the  slauchter  of  King  Ferithais.  And 

of  King  Maynus.  Chap.  III.  p.  37. 

Of  King  Dorvidilla ;  and  of  his  constitutionis,  maneris,  and  deith. 

Chap.  IV.  p.  38. 
Of  the  tyrane  King  Nathak  ;  and  of  his  slauchter.    Chap.  V.  p.  40. 
How  Rewthar,  ane  young  child,  was  maid  King,  contrar  the  lawis. 
How  Ferquhard,  Capitane  of  Lome,  was  chasit  be  Dowall  in  the 
His ;  and  of  his  orison  maid  to  the  pepill  thairof. 

Chap.  VI.  p.  41. 


TABULA.— VOL.  I.  Ixvii 

How  Ferquhard  and  Dowal,  recountering  othlr  be  plane  battal,  war 
baith  slane,  with  al  the  nobilite  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis ;  the  King 
of  Pichtis  slane,  and  the  King  of  Scottis  tane.  Chap.  VII.  p.  43. 
How  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  war  doung  out  of  Albion  be  the  Bri- 

tonis.  Chap.  VIII.  p.  44. 

How  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  recoverit  thair  landis,  and  discomfist 
Sisill,  King  of  Britonis.  And  of  the  residew  of  King  Rewtheris 
life.  Chap.  IX.  p.  46. 

Of  King  Rewtha,  and  his  lawis  and  governance.  How  Ptolome, 
King  of  Egypt,  send  his  oratouris,  to  se  the  situation  of  Scotland 

Chap.  X.  p.  47. 
Of  King  Thereus ;  and  how  he  was  exilit  for  his  tyranny.     How 
Conane,  cheiftane  of  brigandis,  was  maid  Governour  during  his 
proscriptioun.  Chap.  XI.  p.  49. 

Of  King  Josyne.     And  of  the  experience  and  preching  of  two  phi- 

losophouris.  Chap.  XII.  p.  5L 

Of  King  Fynnane,  and  his  lawis.     And  of  the  college  of  clerkis  in 

the  He  of  Man.  Chap.  XIII.  p.  -53. 

Of  King  Durstus ;  and  how  he  was  slane  for  his  cruel  tyranny. 

Chap.  XIV.  p.  55. 
Of  gret  contention  amang  the  capitanis.     Of  the  orison  maid  be 
Charon,  Capitane  of  Argyle.     And  how  Ewin,  the  first  of  that 
name,  was  maid  king.  Chap.  XV.  p.  58. 

How  Gillus,  bastard  son  to  King  Ewin,  slew  two  sonnis  and  two 
nepotis  of  Durstus,  to  make  himself  king ;  and  how  the  thrid 
nepot,  Edeir,  eschapit.  Chap.  XVI.  p.  61. 

How  King  Gillus  was  banist.  How  Cadall,  cheiftane  of  Brigandis, 
was  maid  Governour,  and  slew  Gillus  in  Ireland.  And  how 
EAvin  the  Secound  was  maid  king.  Chap.  XVII.  p.  64. 

How  Cadal,  returnand  out  of  Ireland,  lost  the  raaist  part  of  his  ar- 
my be  rage  of  seis  ;  and  of  the  consolation  maid  to  him  be  King 
Ewin.  Chap.  XVIII.  p.  66. 

How  the  Kingis  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis  war  alliat  togidder  be  ma- 
nage. How  Balus,  King  of  Orknay,  slew  himself  be  disperation. 
Of  the  wise  counsall  gevin  be  King  Ewin  to  Edeir. 

Chap.  XIX.  p.  68. 


TABULA.— VOL.  L 


THE  TABLE  OF  THE  THRID  BUKE. 

Of  King  Edeir ;  and  how  he  revengit  the  heirschippis  maid  be  the 
tratour  Bredus  in  the  His.  Chap.  I.  p.  71. 

How  the  Britonis  send  ambassatouris  to  King  Edeir,  for  support 
aganis  Juhus  Cesar.  Of  thair  orison  ;  and  of  King  Ederis  an- 
swer. And  how  the  said  Julius  was  doung  out  of  Albion,  be 
support  of  Scottis.  Chap.  II.  p.  72. 

How  Julius  returnit  in  Britane,  and  maid  it  tributar  to  Romane 
Empire.  Chap.  III.  p.  76. 

Of  sindry  messagis  send  be  Julius  to  Scottis  and  Pichtis ;  and  of 
thair  answer.  Of  Julius  Hoif ;  and  sindry  opinionis  concerning 
the  first  foundaris  thairof.  Chap.  IV.  p.  78. 

How  the  tratour  Murket,  and  his  complicis,  war  punist.  Of  the 
deith  of  King  Edeir.  Of  the  vicious  King  Ewin  the  Thrid ;  and 
of  his  lawis  and  deith.  Chap.  V.  p.  82. 

Of  King  Metellane.  Of  the  nativite  of  Crist,  our  Salvioure.  Of 
gret  fouth  of  poetis,  oratouris,  and  philosophouris,  that  flurisit  in 
his  time.  Chap.  VI.  p.  84. 

Of  King  Caratak ;  and  how  he  dantit  sindry  conspiratouris  of  his 
realme.  How  the  Britonis,  rebelland  aganis  the  Romanis,  war 
discomfist ;  and  of  thair  message  send  to  the  Scottis. 

Chap.  VII.  p.  86. 

Of  Cai-atakis  answer.  How  the  Britonis  solistit  Normanis  and  Pi- 
cardis  to  rebellion ;  and  how  the  said  Britonis  war  discomfist  be 
Romanis,  and  thair  king  slane.  Chap.  VIII.  p.  89- 

How  Claudius,  Emprioure,  come  in  Britane,  and  subdewit  Orkenay 
to  his  empire.  Of  Sanct  Peteris  first  cuming  in  Italy ;  and  of 
the  Assumptioun  of  the  glorius  Virgine  Mary. 

Chap.  IX.  p.  92. 

How  sindry  princis  of  Britane,  conspirand  aganis  Arviragus,  war 
discomfist.  How  the  confiderat  kingis  come  to  support  thir  princis 
of  Britane  aganis  the  Romanis.  Chap.  X.  p.  95. 

Of  the  message  send  to  Caratak  be  Plancius,  and  his  answer.  Of 
the  deith  of  Genissa.  And  how  Vespasian  was  send  in  Britane, 
to  dant  the  Britonis.  Chap.  XI.  p.  99. 


TABULA.— VOL.  I.  Ixix 

How  the  thre  kingis  of  Albioun,  movand  weir  aganis  Vespasian, 
war  discomfist.  How  Vespasian  ressavit  Arviragus  to  his  mercy, 
and  maid  his  laudis  tributar  to  Romane  Empire. 

Chap.  XII.  p.  101. 

How  Vespasiane  wan  the  town  of  Camelon,  and  discomfist  Caratak. 
Of  his  message  send  to  Caratak  ;  and  of  Caratakis  answer. 

Chap.  XIII.  p.  103. 

How  Caratak  cumand  with  new  army  aganis  Romanis,  was  vin- 
cust.  Of  the  deith  of  PJancius  ;  and  how  Ostorias  Avas  send  in 
his  place  ;  and  dantit  the  Britonis.  Chap.  XIV.  p.  106. 

How  Caratak  fechtand,  with  new  army,  aganis  the  Romanis,  was 
discomfist,  and  maid  presoner  to  Ostorius,  be  treason  of  Cartu- 
mandia,  his  stepmoder.  Chap.  XV.  p.  108. 

How  Caratak  was  brocht  to  Rome,  and  how  he  returnit  in  Scot- 
land. Of  uncouth  mervelhs  sene  in  Albioun  ;  and  of  sindry  no- 
bil  clerkis  ;  and  of  the  deith  of  Caratak.    Chap.  XVI.  p.  110. 


THE  TABLE  OF  THE  FEIRD  BUKE. 

How  Corbrede  was  maid  King  of  Scottis.  How  the  Pichtis  rebellit 
aganis  the  Romanis,  and  slew  Ostorius,  thair  capitane. 

Chap.  I.  p.  113. 

How  Manlius  Valens,  capitane  of  Britane,  was  discomfist  be  the 
Pichtis.  How  Didius  was  send  in  his  place.  Of  the  message 
send  be  Pichtis  to  Corbrede,  and  of  his  answer. 

Chap.  II.  p.  115. 

How  Cartumandia,  Quene  of  Scottis,  was  buryit  quick.  How  the 
Scottis  and  Pichtis  faucht  aganis  the  Romanis,  with  uncertane 
victory,  and  war  constranit  to  tak  peace;  and  of  the  deith  of 
Didius.  Chap.  III.  p.  116. 

How  Veranius  was  maid  capitane  of  Britane,  and  of  his  deith. 
How  Swetonius,  his  successoure,  put  the  He  of  Man  to  sak. 
How  Britonis  maid  new  rebellion  on  the  Romanis ;  and  of  sindry 
prodigies  and  mervellis  sene  in  Albion.  Chap.  IV.  p.  1J9. 


Ixx  TABULA.— VOL.  I. 

Of  the  complaint  maid  be  Voada,  Quene  of  Britonis,  to  Corbrede. 
Of  his  message  send  to  Cattus.  Of  Cattus  answer.  Of  sindry 
incuvsionis  maid  be  Scottis  on  the  Romanis  ;  and  of  the  first 
cuming  of  the  Murrayis  in  Scotland.  Chap.  V.  p.  122. 

Of  the  orisoun  maid  be  Voada,  Quene  of  Britonis,  to  the  confiderat 
Kingis ;  and  how  scho  vincust  the  Romanis,  and  finaly  slew  hir- 
self ;  and  of  the  deith  of  King  Corbi'ede.     Chap.  VI.  p.  124. 

Of  sindry  nobil  clerkis.  How  Petir  and  Paule  war  martirit.  How 
Dardannus  was  maid  King  of  Scottis,  and  slane  for  his  tyranny. 

Chap.  VII.  p.  128. 

How  mony  Romane  capitanis,  for  thair  febill  administration,  war 
interchangit  in  Britane.  How  Galdus  wes  maid  King  of  Scottis, 
and  how  he  wes  discomfist  by  Petulius.     Chap.  VIII.  p.  131. 

How  the  noble  lady,  Vodicia,  invadit  the  Romanis  with  battall. 
How  scho  was  finaly  slane,  and  hir  army  discomfist. 

Chap.  IX.  p.  135. 

How  Julius  Frontinus  was  maid  capitane  of  Britane.  Of  his  mes- 
sage to  Pichtis,  and  of  thair  answer;  and  how  the  said  Julius  in- 
vadit the  Scottis  with  gret  injuris.  Chap.  X.  p.  137. 

How  Julius  Agricola  was  send  in  Britane.  Of  his  frequent  vic- 
toryis  maid  on  Scottis  and  Pichtis ;  and  how  he  subdewit  sindry 
of  thair  landis  to  Romane  empire.  Chap.  XI.  p.  139. 

How  the  King  of  Pichtis  send  his  ambassatouris  to  Scottis,  desiring 
support  aganis  the  Romanis.  How  Agricola  invadit  the  Scottis, 
baith  be  see  and  land.  How  the  King  of  Pichtis  was  slane,  be 
seditioun  of  his  army.  Chap.  XII.  p.  141. 

How  Galdus  pecifyit  al  sedition  amang  the  Pichtis  ;  and  how  he 
faucht  aganis  the  Romanis,  and  was  discomfist. 

Chap.  XIII.  p   144. 

How  sindry  Almanis  and  Danis  come  in  support  of  Scottis  and 
Pichtis.     How  the  Romane  navy  perist  in  Pentland  Firth. 

Chap.  XIV.  p.  145. 

How  Agricola  brocht  his  army  ouir  Tay.  How  Galdus  come  in 
defence  of  the  Pichtis,  with  xl.m  Scottis  ;  and  of  his  orison 
maid  to  exhort  his  army  to  battal.  Chap.  XV.  p.  148. 


TABULA.— VOL.  I.  Ixxi 

Of  the  orisoun  maid  be  Agricola  to  his  army  ;  and  of  the  huge  vic- 
tory falling  to  Romanis,  be  discomfitour  of  Scottis. 

Chap.  XVI.  p.  151. 

How  Agricola  reparit  his  navy,  to  pas  about  the  His  of  Albion,  and 
brint  sindry  schippis  of  Danis.  Of  uncouth  mervellis  sene  in 
Albion ;  and  of  the  deith  of  Agricola.      Chap.  XVIL  p.  154. 

How  Tribellius  was  send  in  Britane.  How  the  llomanis  fell  in  gret 
divisioun  amang  thaimself ;  and  of  the  huge  victory  gottin  on 
thaim  be  Galdus.  Chap.  XVIII.  p.  155. 

How  the  Romanis  war  doung  out  of  all  partis  of  Scotland,  and  sin- 
dry  times  vincust,  be  the  vailyeant  Galdus. 

Chap.  XIX.  p.  157. 

Of  the  message  send  be  Romanis  to  the  confiderat  Kingis,  and  of 
thair  answer.  How  the  confiderat  Kingis  gaif  peace  to  Ro- 
manis. Chap.  XX.  p.  160. 

How  all  the  strenthis  of  Scotland  war  recoverit  fra  the  Romanis,  be 
condition  of  peace  ;  and  of  the  deith  of  Galdus. 

Chap.  XXI.  p.  162. 


THE  TABLE  OF  THE  FIFT  BUKE. 

Of  the  vicius  King,  Lugtak ;  and  how  he  was  slane  for  his  unhappy 
life  and  tyranny.  Chap.  I.  p.  164. 

Of  King  Mogallus ;  and  how  he  come  with  ane  army  aganis  the 
Romanis.     Of  his  orison  maid  to  the  sepulture  of  Galdus. 

Chap.  II.  p.  166. 

How  the  confiderat  kingis  come  vnth  thair  armyis  aganis  the  Ro- 
manis. Of  the  orison  maid  be  Mogallus,  and  Lucius  Antonius, 
to  thair  armyis ;  and  how  the  Romanis  war  discomfist. 

Chap.  III.  p.  168. 

How  Adriane,  Empriour,  come  in  Britane ;  and  biggit  ane  Strang 
wall,  to  saif  the  Britonis  and  Romanis  fra  Scottis  and  Pichtis. 
How  he  returnit  in  France,  and  left  Victorine  to  be  capitane  of 
Britane.  Chap.  IV.  p.  17L 


Ixxii  TABULA.— VOL.  I. 

How  Scottis  and  Pichtis  partlt  the  landis  beyond  the  wall  of 
Adriane.  How  King  Mogallus  was  degenerit,  m  corrupplt  life, 
and  slane  for  his  tyranny.  Chap.  V.  p.  173. 

Of  sindry  nobill  clerkis.  Of  the  vicius  King,  Conarus  ;  and  how  he 
wes  degradit  of  all  auctorite,  and  his  servandis  hingit  for  thair 
wickit  counsall.  Chap.  VI.  p.  175. 

How  Argadus  was  maid  Governour  of  Scotland,  during  the  time  of 
Conarus  in  presoun  ;  and  of  his  life  and  governance. 

Chap.  VII.  p.  177. 

Of  King  Ethodius  the  First ;  and  how  he  pecifyit  the  His.  How 
the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  brak  down  the  wal  of  Adriane,  and  faucht 
aganis  the  Romanis,  with  sindry  chancis  of  victory. 

Chap.  VIII.  p.  179. 

How  Victorine  was  deprivit  of  auctorite ;  and  Calphurnius  Agricola 
send  in  his  place.  How  Calphurnius  reparit  the  wall  of  Adriane, 
and  returnit  to  Rome.  Chap.  IX.  p.  181. 

How  Trebellius  wes  send  in  Britane,  and  was  vincust  be  the  Scottis 
and  Pichtis.  Of  the  rebellioun  of  Britonis  aganis  him ;  and  of 
his  message  send  to  the  Empriour.  Chap.  X.  p.  182. 

How  Argadus,  lieutenand  to  King  Ethodius,  was  slane,  and  his  ar- 
my discomfist  in  the  His.  Of  sindry  lawis  and  actis  maid  be 
Ethodius  ;  and  of  his  slauchter.  Chap.  XL  p.  185. 

Of  mony  nobil  clerkis.  How  Britane  tuke  the  faith  of  Crist.  Of 
the  vicious  King,  Satrahell ;  and  of  his  deith. 

Chap.  XII.  p.  187. 

Of  King  Donald  the  First.  How  the  Britonis  war  inhibit  be  the 
Romanis,  to  have  ony  king  of  thair  blude ;  and  how  thay  solistit 
the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  to  assist  to  thair  rebellion. 

Chap.  XIII.  p.  188. 

How  Severus,  emprioure,  come  in  Britane,  to  revenge  the  oppres- 
sionis  done  to  Romanis.  How  the  Britonis  fled  in  Scotland. 
How  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  fechtand  in  support  of  Britonis,  war 
discomfist.  Chap.  XIV.  p.  190. 

Of  gret  cruelteis  done  be  Severus,  empriour,  aganis  the  noblis  of 
Britane.  Of  his  weris  aganis  Scottis  and  Pichtis.  How  An- 
thonius reparit  the  wall  of  Adriane;  and  of  the  Empriouris  deith. 

Chap.  XV.  p.  192. 


TABULA— VOL.  I.  Ixxili 

How  Anthonius  slew  his  brothir,  Getus,  to  make  himself  Empri- 
oure.  How  Scotland  tuke  the  faith  of  Crist,  and  cunyeit  money. 
Of  mony  nobill  clerkis,  in  sindry  partis  of  the  warld  ;  and  of 
King  Donaldis  deith.  Chap.  XVL  p.  194. 

Of  King  Ethodius  the  Secound  ;  and  how  the  noblis,  finding  him 
unabil  to  gide  the  realme,  governit  the  samin,  be  thair  auctorite, 
in  gret  justice.  Chap.  XVII.  p.  196. 


THE  TABLE  OF  THE  SEXT  BUKE. 

How  Athirco  was  maid  King  of  Scottis.  How  the  noblis  conspirit 
aganis  him,  for  his  cursit  tyranny ;  and  how  he  slew  himself,  be 
disperatioun.  Chap.  I,  p.  198. 

How  Nathalak  usurpit  the  crown,  and  persewit  al  the  linnage  of 
Athirco  with  gret  cruelteis ;  and,  finaly,  was  slane  be  his  fami- 
liar servand.  Chap.  II,  p.  200. 

Of  King  Findok ;  and  how  he  dan  tit  the  His,  and  was  slane  be  two 
men  thairof.  Chap.  III.  p.  204. 

How  Carance  was  banist  for  his  brotheris  slauchter,  and  Donald  the 
Secund,  maid  King.     Of  his  deith,  and  of  sindry  noble  clerkis. 

Chap.  IV.  p.  206. 

How  mony  haly  men  war  martyrit  for  the  faith  of  Crist.  How  Do- 
nald of  the  His,  the  thrid  of  that  name,  usurpit  the  crown,  and 
was  slane  be  Craithlint.  Chap.  V.  p.  207. 

Of  King  Craithlint;  and  how  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  fell  in  conten- 
tion, be  thair  hunting,  and  faucht,  with  gret  slauchter.  on  al  sidis. 

Chap.  VI.  p.  209. 

How  Carance,  brothir  to  Findok,  returnit  out  of  Italy,  with  gret 
riches,  in  Albion.  How  he  conquest  Westmureland,  and  maid 
peace  betwix  Scottis  and  Pichtis.  Chap.  VII.  p.  211, 

How  Carance,  be  support  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  slew  Bassiane, 
capitane  of  Britane,  and  tuk  the  crown  thairof;  and  of  his  deith. 
And  how  the  crown  of  Britane  was  restorit  to  Romanis. 

Chap.  VIII.  p.  215. 
VOL.  I.  k 


Ixxiv  TABULA.— VOL.  I. 

Of  gret  cruelte,  done  be  Dioclesiane,  Emprioiir,  aganis  Cristin  pe- 
pil.  How  Coill  vincust  the  Romanis,  and  conquest  the  crown  of 
Britane.  How  he  was  alliat  with  Constantius,  Emprioure  ;  and 
of  the  nativite  of  gret  Constanthie.  Chap.  IX.  p.  217. 

How  Fincormak  was  maid  King  of  Scottis,  and  Octavius,  King  of 
Britonis.  How  Herculeus,  Romane  capitane,  was  slane  be  Oc- 
tavius, and  the  Romanis  vincust.  How  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis 
come  in  support  of  Octavius,  and  chasit  Traherus  in  France. 

Chap.  X.  p.  220. 

How  Octavius  was  put  fra  the  crown  of  Britane,  be  Traherus,  Ro- 
mane capitane.  How  the  said  Traherus  was  slane,  and  Octavius 
restorit  to  the  crown  ;  and  of  Fincormakis  deith. 

Chap.  XI.  p.  222. 

How  the  heresy  is  of  Arrius  was  condampnit.  How  Ireland  tuke  the 
faith  of  Crist.  How  Romak,  Fethelmak,  and  Angusiane,  con- 
tendit  for  the  crown.  How  Romak  was  maid  King,  and  slane 
efter  for  his  tyranny.  Chap.  XII.  p.  224. 

How  Angusiane  was  maid  King  of  Scottis.  How  Maximus  sub- 
dewit  the  Britonis,  be  sindry  victory  is.  How  Scottis  and  Pichtis 
in^adit  othir,  with  set  batal.  How  baith  thair  Kingis  war  slane, 
and  the  Scottis  discomfist.  Chap.  XIII.  p.  227. 

How  Fethelmak  was  maid  King  of  Scottis ;  and  how  he  slew  Nec- 
tane,  King  of  Pichtis,  and  wes  slane  efter,  be  thair  treason,  and 
of  mony  nobill  clerkis.  Chap.  XIV.  p.  230. 

How  Sanct  Roule  brocht  Sanct  Androis  arme  in  Scotland;  and  how 
the  Kirk  of  Sanct  Androis  was  dotat,  be  Hergest,  King  of 
Pichtis  ;  and  of  the  loving  thairof.  Chap.  XV.  p.  231. 

How  Eugenius  wes  maid  King  of  Scottis.  How  Hergest,  King  of 
Pichtis,  wes  confiderat  with  Romanis  for  distruction  of  Scottis. 
How  Maximus,  Capitane  of  Britane,  invadit  the  Scottis  with  gret 
cruelteis  and  slauchter.  Chap.  XVI.  p.  233. 

How  Maximus  returnit  in  Galloway,  to  revenge  the  injuris  done  be 
Scottis  aganis  Pichtis.  How  Eugenius  come,  with  l.m  men,  to 
resist  the  Romanis,  Pichtis,  and  Britonis.  How  he  was  slane, 
his  brothir  tane,  and  his  army  discomfist.  Chap.  XVII.  p.  236. 

How  the  Scottis,  be  gret  cruelte  of  Pichtis,  war  exilit  out  of  Albion. 
How  the  Abbay  of  Comekil  was  foundit.  Chap.  XVIII.  p.  240. 


TABULA.— VOL.  I.  Ixxv 

Of  sindry  mervellis  sene  in  Albion.  How  the  Scottis  that  fled  in 
Ireland  and  the  His,  returnit  in  Scotland  with  gret  power ;  and 
how  thay  war  discomfist  and  slane.  Chap.  XIX.  p.  J^43. 


THE  TABLE  OF  THE  SEVINT  BUKE. 

How  Maximiis  conquest,  be  his  liberalite,  the  crown  of  Britane. 
How  he  slew  Gratiane,  Emprioure ;  and  was  slane  be  Theodosius. 

Chap.  I.  p.  247. 

How  Octavius  wes  maid  king  of  Britonis.  How  Mercius  and  Vic- 
torine  war  send  in  Albion,  to  dant  the  Britonis.  How  the  Pichtis 
war  thirlit  to  gret  servitude ;  and  how  thair  king  slew  himself. 

Chap.  II.  p.  249. 

Of  Etheodius,  brothir  to  Eugenius  afore  rehersit.  Of  his  gover- 
nance in  Denmark  ;  and  of  his  succession.  How  Rome  was  tane 
be  Gothis ;  and  how  sindry  spulyeis  thairof  fell  to  Fergus  the 
Secund.  Chap.  III.  p.  252. 

Of  sindry  clerkis  and  Sanctis  flurising  in  the  warld.  Of  the  first 
message  send  be  Pichtis  to  Scottis.  Chap.  IV.  p.  255. 

How  Gratiane,  King  of  Britonis,  and  Mercius,  Romane  capitane, 
war  slane,  and  Constantine  put  in  Mercius  place ;  and  of  his  deith. 
Of  the  secund  message  send  be  Pichtis  to  Fergus  ;  and  how  lie 
come  in  Albion,  and  was  aggreit  with  Pichtis,  and  recoverit  his 
realme.  Chap.  V.  p.  256. 

How  the  Romanis,  fechtand  aganis  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  war 
severit  be  ane  schoure  of  hail.  Of  sindry  vassalage  done  be  the 
vailyeant  Grahame,  at  the  wal  of  Abircorne.  Of  his  linnao-e  and 
allia  with  King  Fergus.  Chap.  VI.  p.  259. 

Of  sindry  consultationis  maid  be  the  Scottis,  for  thair  defence 
aganis  the  Romanis  and  Britonis.  How  Victorine  conquest  the 
croun  of  Britane ;  and  how  he  was  punist  thairfore,  to  the  deith. 

Chap.  VII.  p.  261. 

How  Placidus,  Romane  capitane,  was  discomfist,  with  his  army,  be 
Scottis  and  Pichtis.     How  King  Fergus  recoverit  al  his  landis, 


Ixxvi  TABULA.—VOL.  I. 

be  condition  of  peace,  fra  Romanis.     Of  his  civill  and  religious 
industry,  for  the  weill  of  his  pepill.  Chap.  VIII.  p.  262. 

Of  the  deith  of  Placidus.  Of  the  message  send  be  Castius,  capitane 
of  Britane,  to  Fergus  ;  and  of  Fergus  answer.  How  the  Ro- 
manis war  discomfist,  and  Castius  slane.        Chap.  IX.  p.  264. 

How  Maximiane,  capitane  of  Britane,  come,  with  huge  army,  aganis 
the  Scottis  and  Pichtis.  Of  Fergus  orison  to  his  army  ;  and 
how  baith  the  kingis  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis  w^ar  slane,  and  thair 
army  discomfist  be  Romanis.  Chap.  X.  p.  26*6. 

How  the  Romanis  wrocht  gret  injurison  Scottis  and  Pichtis.  How 
Maximiane  wes  alliat  with  Dioneth,  Prince  of  Wahs,  and  tuke 
the  crown  of  Britane,  contrar  the  auctorite  of  Romanis. 

Chap.  XI.  p.  269. 

Of  King  Eugenius  the  Secound.  Of  grete  vassalage  done  be  Maxi- 
miane in  Britane  and  France.  How  Ursula  and  hir  fallowis  war 
martyrit.  Chap.  XII.  p.  271. 

How  the  confiderat  kingis  come  with  gret  armyis  aganis  the  Britonis. 
Of  Eugenius  orison.  Of  the  gret  heirschippis  maid  on  Britonis. 
How  Gallio  Revennas  was  send  in  suport  of  Britonis;  and  of 
his  vassalage.  Chap.  XIII.  p.  273. 

How  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  kest  down  the  wall  of  Abircorne,  and 
wrocht  gret  cruelteis  on  the  Britonis.  Of  the  message  send  be 
Britonis  to  Etius  ;  and  of  his  answer.         Chap.  XIV.  p.  276. 

How  Conanus,  Prince  of  Walis,  exhortit  the  Britonis  to  tak  peace 
with  Scottis  and  Pichtis;  and  was  slane.  How  the  Britonis,  ef- 
ter  his  slauchter,  faucht  amang  thameself.    Chap.  XV.  p.  278. 

Of  gret  vassalage  done  be  the  nobill  Grahame  at  the  wallis  of  Abir- 
corne and  Adriane ;  and  how  the  Scottis  conquest  all  landis  be- 
twix  Tyne  and  Humber.  Of  the  epistill  send  be  Britonis  to 
Etius;  and  of  his  answer.  Chap.  XVI.  p.  280. 

How  the  Britonis  war  vincust,  and  maid  tributar  to  Scottis  and 
Pichtis.  And  of  the  conditionis  of  peace  gevin  to  the  said  Bri- 
tonis. Chap.  XVII.  p.  283. 

Of  mony  nobil  clerkis  and  Sanctis  in  sindry  partis  of  the  warld.  Of 
sindry  prodigies  and  mervellis  sene  in  Albioun.  And  of  Finmak- 
coule.  Chap.  XVIII.  p.  286. 


TABULA.—VOL.  II.  Ixxvii 

VOL.  II. 
THE  TABLE  OF  THE  AUCHT  BUKE. 

How  mony  Romane  provinces  fel  in  pray  to  sindry  pepill ;  and  how 
sindry  realraes  began  thairthrow.  Chap.  I.  p.  5. 

How  Conanus  exhortit  the  Britonis  to  recover  thair  hberte.  Of  the 
message  send  be  Scottis  and  Pichtis  to  Britonis ;  and  how  the 
nobhs  and  commonis  of  Britane  iavadit  othir  be  battall. 

Chap.  II.  p.  7. 

Of  sindry  afflictionis  and  plagis  quhilkis  fell  on  the  Britonis,  for  thair 
iniquite  and  corruppit  life.     Of  the  deith  of  King  Eugenius. 

Chap.  III.  p.  10. 

Of  King  Dongard ;  and  of  the  secund  orison  maid  be  Conanus  to 
the  Britonis.  And  how  thay  send  ambassatouris  to  Androenus, 
King  of  Bertanye,  for  support  aganis  Scottis  and  Pichtis. 

Chap.  IV.  p.  11. 

Of  the  deith  of  Conanus ;  and  of  the  orison  maid  be  Guitelline  to 
the  King  of  Bertanye.  How  Constantine,  his  son,  was  send  with 
ane  army  in  Britane,  and  maid  king  thairof.     Chap.  V.  p.  14. 

How  Dongard,  King  of  Scottis,  come  with  gret  power  aganis  Con- 
stantine, King  of  Britonis.  Of  his  orison  to  his  army.  How  he 
was  slane,  and  the  Britonis  discomfist.  Chap.  VI.  p.  17. 

How  Constantine  the  First,  and  thrid  brothir  to  Eugenius,  was  maid 
King  of  Scottis.  Of  his  unhappy  hfe  and  tyranny;  and  how 
Constantine,  King  of  Britonis,  was  slane  be  gile  of  Pichtis. 

Chap.  VII.  p.  20. 

Of  King  Congallus ;  and  of  his  administratioun.  How  the  monk 
Constantius  was  maid  king  of  Britonis.  How  Vortigern^  be 
slauchter  of  Constantius,  tuke  the  crown  of  Britane. 

Chap.  VIII.  p.  22. 

How  Ambrose  and  Uter,  the  sonnis  of  King  Constantine,  fled  in 
Bertanye.  How  Gwitel,  Prince  of  Walls,  was  slane  be  the  Scottis, 
and  his  army  discomfist.  Chap.  IX.  p.  25. 


Ixxviii  TABULA.—VOL.  II. 

How  Vortigerne  send  ambassatouris  in  Almany,  to  fe  wageouris  in 
his  support.  How  Hengest  and  Orsus  come  in  Britane  with  x 
thousand  Saxonis ;  and  of  thair  cruelteis  and  vassalage  done  aganis 
Pichtis.  Chap.  X.  p.  27. 

Of  the  secound  message  send  be  Pichtis  to  the  Scottis,  How  Scottis 
and  Pichtis  faucht  aganis  the  Saxonis  and  Britonis,  and  war  dis- 
comfist.  Chap.  XI.  p.  29. 

How  Hengist  was  richely  rewardit  for  his  victorius  dedis.  How  xv 
thousand  Britonis  war  slane,  be  weris  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis.  How 
Hengistis  wife  and  douchter  arrivit  in  Britane,  with  new  army  of 
Saxonis.  Chap.  XII.  p.  31. 

How  Hengist  and  Vortimer  come  with  gret  armyis  to  invaid  the 
confiderat  pepil.  Of  sindry  quent  slichtis  devisit  be  Scottis,  to 
constrane  thair  ennimes  to  battall.  Of  sindry  chancis  of  victory 
thairefter  following.  Chap.  XIII.  p.  33. 

How  Hengist  AAas  maid  Protectour  of  Britane;  and  how  he  brocht 
his  son  Occa,  with  x.m  Saxonis,  to  resist  the  armyis  of  Ambrose 
and  Uter.  How  Vortigern  come  to  ane  banket,  with  Hengist ; 
and  maryit  Roxena,  his  douchter.  Chap,  XIV.  p.  36. 

How  Vodine,  Bischop  of  London,  with  monv  preistis,  war  slane  be 
tyranny  of  Saxonis.  How  Hengist  maid  himself  King  of  Kent. 
How  Vortigerne  was  deprivit,  and  Vortimer,  his  sonne,  maid  King 
of  Britane.  Chap.  XV.  p.  39. 

How  Scottis  and  Pichtis  war  confiderat  with  Kinff  Vortimer  aganis 
the  Saxonis,  and  discomfist  Occa  in  North  umbirland.  How  Hen- 
gist and  Occa  war  vincust  in  Kent,  and  doung  out  of  Britane. 
How  King  Vortimer  was  slane  be  poisoun.    Chap.  XVI.  p.  42. 

How  the  Britonis,  efter  deith  of  King  Vortimer,  fell  in  gret  dispu- 
tatioun  quhay  suld  be  king.  And  how  Vortigern  w^as  restorit  to 
the  crown  of  Britane.  Chap.  XVII.  p.  45. 

How  Hengist  and  Occa  returnit  with  new  power  of  Saxonis  in  Bri- 
tane, and  slew  mony  nobillis  thairof;  and  tuke  Vortigerne  preso- 
nere.  How  Vortigern  was  banist  in  Walis,  and  Hengist  maid 
King  of  Britane.  Chap.  XVIII.  p.  46. 

How  Vortigerne  demandit  the  prophete  Marline,  of  the  end  of  his 


TABULA— VOL.  IL  Ixxix 

life ;  and  of  Marlinis  answer.     How  Ambrose  and  liter  come  in 
AValis,  and  brint  Vortigern,  with  his  sonne  and  riches. 

Chap.  XIX.  p.  50. 

Of  sindry  illusionis  and  dissaitis  of  evill  spretis.    Chap.  X  X.  p.  52. 

How  Ambrose  was  confiderat  with  Scottis  and  Pichtis.  And  how 
he  slew  Hengist,  and  dang  the  Saxonis  out  of  Britane.  How  his 
two  sisteris  war  niaryit  on  the  confiderat  kingis.  And  of  sindry 
haly  men.  Chap.  XXI.  p.  54. 


THE  TABLE  OF  THE  NINT  BUKE. 

Of  King  Conrannus ;  and  how  he  maid  lawis  to  punis  extorsionis. 
How  Occa  and  Passentius  arrivit  Avith  new  power  of  Saxonis  in 
Ingland ;  and  how  thay  war  vincust  be  Ambrose. 

Chap.  I.  p.  59. 

Of  gret  cruelteis  done  be  Occa  to  Britonis.  How  Scottis  and  Pichtis 
war  frustrat  of  thair  voyage.  Of  gret  mervellis  sene  in  Albion. 
Of  the  interpretation  of  thaim  be  Merhne.         Chap.  II.  p.  62. 

How  Uter  wes  maid  King  of  Britonis ;  and  how  he  was  discomfist 
be  Saxonis,  and  chasit  in  Wahs.  How  Saxonis  and  Britonis  war 
^ggreit.  Chap.  III.  p.  64. 

How  Uter  slew  the  Prince  of  Cornewal,  and  gat  Arthure  on  his 
wife.  How  Loth,  King  of  Pichtis,  clamit  the  crown  of  Britan ; 
and  how  Britonis  war  purgit  of  thair  herisyis.  How  Terdix  and 
Kenrik  come  to  Occa  with  new  power  of  Saxonis ;  and  how  the 
Saxonis  war  discomfist  be  mirakill.  Chap.  IV.  p.  6o. 

How  Occa  and  Nathaleodus,  invading  othir  be  battal,  war  baith 
slane,  with  xv.m  Britonis.  How  young  Occa  was  maid  King  of 
Ingland ;  and  of  his  ordinance  aganis  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis. 
And  how  thay  war  vincust,  and  King  Uter  slane  be  poisoun. 

Chap.  V.  p.  69. 

Ot  the  Romane  Boece ;  and  of  his  werkis  and  martyrdome.  Of  the 
institutionis  of  the  ordour  of  Sanct  Benedict;  and  how  superflew 


kxx  TABULA.— VOL.  II. 

rentis  makis  evlll,  religious  men.     How  Loth,  King  of  Pichtis, 
clamit  the  crown  of  Britane.  Chap.  VI.  p.  72. 

How  the  Saxonis  war  sindi-y  times  vincust,  and  maid  ti'ibutaris  to 
King  Arthure.  How  Occa  arrivid  with  new  power  in  Northum- 
berland, and  chasit  Arthure  in  Walis.  How  the  surfet  cheir 
of  Yule  was  evil  institute.    How  Pichtis  and  Britonis  war  aggreit. 

Chap.  VII.  p.  74. 

How  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  war  confiderat  with  King  Arthure, 
aganis  the  Saxonis.  How  the  Saxonis  war  vincust  be  the  Al- 
bianis,  and  doung  out  of  Albion.  Chap.  VIII.  p.  76. 

How  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  come  with  xx  thousand  men,  in  sup- 
port of  King  Arthure,  aganis  Saxonis ;  and  how  the  Saxonis  war 
discomfist.  Chap.  IX.  p.  78. 

How  Tonset,  Chancellar  of  Scotland,  was  slane,  for  his  wrangus 
administration  of  justice.  Of  King  Conrannus  deith.  Of  Jus- 
tiniane,  Empriour,  and  of  his  prudent  constitutionis,  fame,  and 
chevelry ;  and  of  sindry  captiviteis  of  Rome. 

Chap.  X.  p.  80. 

Of  King  Eugenius  the  thrid,  and  his  lawis.  Of  Conrannus  wife. 
How  scho  fled,  with  hir  sonnis,  in  Ingland.  Of  King  Arthuris 
fame,  chevelry,  and  round  table.  How  the  Britonis,  contrar 
thair  promes,  maid  Constantine  Prince  of  Britane. 

Chap.  XL  p.  82. 

Of  the  message  send  be  Pichtis  to  Britonis,  and  of  thair  answer. 
How  King  Arthure  was  slane,  with  mony  of  al  the  nobillis  of 
Britane,  be  Scottis  and  Pichtis.  How  Guanora,  his  wife,  was 
brocht  in  Angus ;  of  hir  sepulture  ;  and  of  the  calamite  that  fell 
to  Albianis  be  this  battal.  Chap.  XII.  p.  84. 

How  Constantine,  King  of  Britonis,  slew  the  sonnis  of  Modrede. 
Of  uncouth  merveUis  sene  in  Albioun.  How  Eugenius  gaif  sin- 
dry  landis,  with  armis,  to  nobill  men  of  his  realme.  How  Con- 
stantine, King  of  Britonis,  was  maid  monk,  in  Ireland ;  and  of 
Eugenius  deith.  Chap.  XIII.  p.  87. 

Of  King  Conwallus,  and  his  lawis  and  deith.  Of  the  cuming  of 
Sanct  Colme  in  Scotland  ;  and  of  Sanct  Mungo. 

Chap.  XIV.  p.  89. 


TABULA.—VOL.  II.  Ixxxi 

Of  King  Kinnatill,  and  how  he  resignit  the  crown  to  Aidane.  Of 
the  orisoun  maid  be  Sanct  Cohue.  How  Scottis  and  Pichtis 
faucht  amang  thaimself,  and  war  aggreit  be  Sanct  Cohne. 

Chap.  XV.  p.  91. 

How  the  Saxonis  devidit  Ingland,  in  sevin  sindry  kingdomis.  How 
Pichtis  and  Saxonis  war  confiderat  togidder,  and  discomfist  the 
Scottis  and  Britonis.  Of  the  orison  maid  be  King  Aidane,  to  his 
army.  How  the  said  Aidane  was  vincust  be  Saxonis,  and  his 
Sonne  slane.  Chap.  XVI.  p.  94. 

How  Saxonis  and  Pichtis  war  discomfist  in  Northumberland,  be 
Scottis  and  Britonis.  Of  the  deith  of  Sanct  Cohne,  and  Sanct 
Aidane.  Of  the  vengeance  that  come  on  the  Saxonis,  for  ding- 
ing of  Sanct  Austine.     And  of  sindry  haly  men. 

Chap.  XVII.  p.  96. 

Of  King  Kenneth.  Of  Eugenius  the  feird.  How  the  King  of 
Britonis  was  doung  out  of  this  realrae,  be  Saxonis,  and  recoverit 
the  samin.  How  Ethelfreid,  King  of  Northumberland,  was 
slane.     Of  sindry  haly  men.  Chap.  XVIII.  p.  99. 

Of  the  vicius  tyrane,  King  Ferquhart,  and  how  he  slew  himself; 
and  of  the  haly  man,  Fiacre.  Chap.  XIX.  p.  101. 

Of  King  Donevald ;  and  of  the  deith  of  Edwine,  King  of  Northum- 
berland. How  Eufred  and  Osrik,  Kingis  of  Northumberland, 
war  punist  for  thair  tyranny  done  to  Cristin  pepill.  And  how 
King  Oswald  convertit  the  Saxonis  to  the  faith  of  Crist. 

Chap.  XX.  p.  103. 

Of  the  unhappy  prophete,  Machomete,  and  his  fals  lawis.  Of  sin- 
dry haly  men.  Of  King  Ferquhart,  and  his  extorsionis  done 
aganis  the  pepill ;  and  of  his  misea^able  end. 

Chap.  XXI.  p.  107. 

Of  King  Mald^v^ne,  and  how  he  was  slane  be  his  wife,  and  his  wife 
brint.  Of  gret  mortalite,  be  rage  of  pest,  in  sindry  partis  of  the 
warld ;  and  how  the  Scottis  war  preservit  fra  the  samin. 

Chap.  XXII.  p.  110. 

Of  Eugenius  the  Fift ;  and  of  the  message  send  to  Edfred,  King  of 
Northumberland ;  and  of  the  peace  takin  thairefter.  How  King 
Edfred  was  slane  be  Eugenius,  with  xx  thousand  Saxonis ;  and 
of  the  haly  man,  Sanct  Cuthbert.  Chap.  XXIII.  p.  111. 

VOL.  I.  L 


Ixxxii  TABULA.— VOL.  II. 

Of  gret  trubill  done  be  Sarayenis  to  Cristin  pepill.  Of  King  Eu- 
genius  the  Sext,  and  his  ai*tis.  Of  uncouth  mervellis  sene  in 
Albioun.  Chap.  XXIV.  p.  113. 

Of  the  vicius  tyrane,  Amberkeleth ;  and  of  his  deith.  Of  King 
Eugenius  the  Sevint.  How  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  war  recoun- 
saht  togidder,  be  affinite ;  and  of  the  slauehter  of  Eugenius  wife. 
Of  sevin  haly  virginis,  dotat  be  the  King  of  Pichtis,  in  Abir- 
nethy.  Chap.  XXV.  p.  115. 

Of  King  Mordak,  and  his  werkis ;  and  of  his  deith.  Of  foure  sin- 
dry  pepill  in  Albioun.  Of  the  gret  mirakillis  of  Sanct  Niniane ; 
and  of  Sanct  Bede.  Chap.  XXVI.  p.  117. 

Of  King  Ethfine ;  and  how  he  maid  foure  regentis  to  govern  his 
realm.  Of  gret  cruelteis  done  be  Donald  of  the  His  ;  and  of  the 
deith  of  King  Ethfine.  Chap.  XXVII.  p.  119. 

Of  King  Eugenius  the  viii,  and  how  he  was  slane  for  his  tyranny  ; 
and  his  evill  counsallouris  hingit  on  jebatis. 

Chap.  XXVIII.  p.  120. 

Of  the  vicius  King  Fergus  the  Thrid;  and  how  he  was  slane  be 
his  wife.  Of  hir  orisovm  maid  to  the  counsall ;  and  how  scho  slew 
hirself.  Chap.  XXIX.  p.  121. 

Of  King  Solvathius  ;  and  how  he  dantit  sindry  gret  limmaris  of  his 
realm.     Of  his  deith,  and  of  mony  haly  men. 

Chap.  XXX.  p.  123. 


THE  TABLE  OF  THE  TENT  BUKE. 

Of  King  Achaius ;  and  how  he  aggreit  his  nobillis  of  all  conten- 
tionis.  Of  his  message  send  to  the  princis  of  Ireland;  and  of 
thair  answer.  How  mony  Ireland-men  perist  in  the  seis.  How 
the  Scottis  and  Ireland-men  war  aggreit.         Chap.  I.  p  126. 

How  King  Charlis  send  his  ambassatouris  to  be  confiderat  with 
Scottis  and  Pichtis.  Of  thair  orisoun  maid  to  King  Achaius; 
and  of  the  orison  maid  aganis  thaim  be  Culmane. 

Chap.  II.  p.  128. 


TABULA.--.VOL.  II.  IxxxiU 

Of  the  answer  maid  to  this  last  orison  be  Albiane.  How  France 
and  Scotland  wer  perpetuallie  confiderat.  How  Pichtis  refusit  to 
be  confiderat  with  France ;  and  of  the  articlis  contenand  the  band 
betwix  Scotland  and  France.  Chap.  III.  p.  132. 

How  Paip  Leo  the  Thrid,  and  the  Florentinis,  wer  restorit  to  thair 
honour  and  liberie,  be  King  Charlis.  Of  sindry  abbayis  foundit 
be  Scottis  Guilliam.  How  the  universite  of  Paris  began  be 
Scottis.     Of  the  loving  of  the  samin.  Chap.  IV.  p.  136. 

How  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  wer  confiderat  be  mariage,  and  slew 
Athelstane,  King  of  Ingland,  and  put  his  army  to  flicht.  Of 
King  Hungus  lawis,  and  liberte  to  kirkmen.  Of  the  deith  of 
King  Charlis,  and  King  Achaius ;  and  of  sindry  noble  clerkis. 

Chap.  V.  p.  139. 

Of  King  Conwallus,  and  of  his  deith.  Chap.  VI.  p.  143. 

Of  King  Dongallus,  and  how  he  punist  certane  conspiratouris. 
How  Alpine,  Prince  of  Scotland,  clamit  the  croun  of  Pichtis,  as 
nerest  heritoure  thairto.  Of  the  Pichtis  answer.  How  the 
Scottis  concludit  to  move  wxir  on  the  Pichtis,  for  denying  of  the 
croun.  Chap.  VII.  p.  143. 

Of  King  Alpine  ;  and  how  he  slew  Feredech,  King  of  Pichtis. 
How  Brudus  and  Kenneth,  Kingis  of  Pichtis,  wer  baith  slane; 
and  Brudus  the  feirs,  maid  King.  How  King  Alpine  wes  slane, 
and  the  Scottis  discomfist.  Chap.  VIII.  p.  146. 

How  Kenneth  the  Secound  wes  maid  King  of  Scottis.  Of  the  deith 
of  Brudus,  Kins  of  Pichtis :  and  how  Donskene  wes  maid  Kins-. 
How  the  heid  of  King  Alpine  wes  brocht  in  Scotland.  How  the 
Pichtis  wer  discomfist.  Chap.  IX.  p.  150. 

Of  the  message  send  be  Donskene  to  Kenneth,  and  of  his  answer. 
Of  the  orison  maid  be  Donskene  to  Kenneth,  and  of  his  answer. 
How  the  Pichtis  wer  discomfist,  and  King  Donskene  slane. 

Chap.  X.  p.  154. 

How  the  swerd  and  cote  armour  of  King  Donskene  wer  send  to 
Colmkill.  Of  the  orisoun  maid  be  King  Kenneth  to  his  nobillis. 
How  the  Pichtis  wer  slane,  and  banist  out  of  Scotland  ;  and  how 
the  Dunbaris  tuke  thair  beginning.  Chap.  XI.  p.  159- 

Of  uncouth  mervellis  sene  in  Albioun.    How  the  chiar  of  merbill 


Ixxxiv  TABULA— VOL.  II. 

wes  brocht  out  of  Argyle  to  Scone.     Of  the  lawis  maid  be  Ken- 
neth, for  the  commoun  well  of  Scottis ;  and  of  his  deith. 

Chap.  Xn.  p.  162. 

Of  the  vicious  King  Donald.  How  Osbret  and  Ella,  with  gret 
noumer  of  Inglismen,  wes  discomfist.  How  xx.m  Scottis  wer 
slane;  and  King  Donald  tane  be  Inglismen  and  Britonis.  Of 
the  message  send  be  Scottis  to  Osbret ;  and  of  his  answer. 

Chap.  XIII.  p.  166. 

Of  the  orison  maid  be  Calenus.  How  Scottis  tuke  peace  with  In- 
glismen and  Britonis.  How  King  Donald  wes  put  in  preson  for 
his  vicis,  and  slew  himself.     Of  sindry  mervellis  sene  in  Albioun. 

Chap.  XIV.  p.  170. 

Of  King  Constantine  the  Secund ;  and  of  his  lawis.  Of  the  hevy 
regrait  maid  be  Evanus  of  the  lUs  to  his  folkis;  and  how  the 
said  Evanus  wes  punist  for  his  rebellioun.    Chap.  XV.  p.  173. 

How  Gadanus,  King  of  Danis,  send  his  two  brethir,  Hungar  and 
Hubba,  with  gret  armyis,  to  invade  the  Scottis  ;  and  how  the  said 
Hubba  was  vincust,  and  his  army  put  to  flicht. 

Chap.  XVI.  p.  175. 

How  King  Constantine  was  slane,  and  his  army  discomfist  be  the 
Danis.  Chap.  XVII.  p.  177. 

Of  King  Ethus,  and  his  actis.  How  Osbret,  King  of  Ingland,  with 
mony  othir  pepill,  was  slane  be  cruelte  of  Danis.  Of  sindry  mer- 
vellis sene  in  Albioun ;  and  of  the  deith  of  Ethus. 

Chap.  XVIII.  p.  179. 

Of  King  Gregoure  and  his  lawis.  How  he  recoverit  sindry  landis 
of  his  realme ;  and  discomfist  Herdeut,with  all  the  army  of  Danis. 
How  Rasine,  gret  capitane  of  Danis,  was  slane  be  Inglismen. 

Chap.  XIX.  p.  18L 

How  Gregoure  recoverit  sindry  landis  of  his  realme,  and  slew  Con- 
stantine, King  of  Britonis.  How  Scottis,  Britonis,  and  Inglis- 
men war  confiderat  aganis  the  Danis.  Chap.  XX.  p.  184. 

How  King  Gregoure  come  in  Ireland,  to  revenge  certane  injuris 
done  in  Galloway ;  and  how  he  dantit  the  samin  with  sindry  vic- 
toryis,  and  was  governoure  thairof  mony  yeris.  Of  his  loving 
and  deith.  Chap.  XXI.  p.  188. 


TABULA.— VOL.  II.  Ixxxv 

Of  King  Donald  the  Sext.  How  the  realme  of  Normanis  and  duche- 
ry  of  Flanderis  tuke  beginning.  Of  the  grot  chevelrie  of  Danis 
in  sindry  partis  of  the  warld ;  and  of  his  deith. 

Chap.  XXII.  p.  193. 


THE  TABLE  OF  THE  LEVINT  BUKE. 

Of  King  Constantine  the  Thrid.  How  Danis  and  Inghsmen  war 
confiderat  be  mariage ;  and  how  the  peace  was  dissolvit.  How 
the  Scottis  war  discomfist  be  the  Danis.  And  of  the  deilh  of 
King  Constantine.  Chap.  I.  p.  197. 

Of  King  Malcolme  the  First.  How  Cumbir  and  Westmureland 
was  annexit  to  the  Prince  of  Scotland.  Of  the  slauchter  of  Kins 
Malcolme,  and  punitioun  tane  for  the  samin.  Of  the  deith  of  King 
Athelstane.  Chap.  II.  p.  201. 

Of  King  Indulphe.  How  Avalassus,  King  of  Danis,  was  discomfist 
be  King  Edmond,  be  support  of  Scottis.  How  sindry  Danis  war 
discomfist  in  Buchquhan,  and  King  Indulphe  slane. 

Chap.  III.  p.  208. 

Of  Kinge  DufFus;  and  how  he  was  trublit  with  gret  infirmite,  be 
wichecraft.    How  he  punist  certane  conspiratouris,  and  was  slane. 

Chap.  IV.  p.  205. 

How  Culine,  Prince  of  Scotland,  punist  the  slauchter  of  King  Duf- 
fus.     Of  sindry  mervellis  sene  in  Albion.         Chap.  V.  p.  209- 

Of  King  Culine,  and  his  vicius  life.  Of  the  trubill  that  fell  in  the 
realme  be  his  evill  ministratioun.  Chap.  VI.  p.  211. 

Of  King  Kenneth  the  Thrid,  and  his  governance.  Of  his  orison 
maid  to  the  nobillis ;  and  how  he  constranit  thaim  to  bring  sindry 
thevis  to  his  justice.  Chap.  VII.  p.  213, 

How  the  Danis,  invading  the  Scottis  with  gret  cruelteis,  war  dis- 
comfist be  King  Kenneth.  And  how  the  Hay  is  tuk  thair  first 
beginning  and  armis.  Chap.  VIII.  p.  216. 

How  King  Kenneth  slew  the  Prince  of  Scotland,  that  his  sonne  micht 


Ixxxvi  TABULA.— VOL.  II. 

succede  to  the  crown.    Of  the  message  send  be  Sanct  Edward  to 
King  Kenneth ;  and  of  Kennethis  orisoun  maid  to  his  nobillis. 

Chap.  IX.  p.  221. 

How  the  auld  lawis  war  abrogat  be  Kenneth,  concerning  the  elec- 
tioun  of  kingis;  and  new  lawis,  contrar  to  thaim,  institute.  Of 
the  visioun  that  come  to  him  in  his  bed ;  and  of  his  deith. 

Chap.  X.  p.  225. 

Of  King  Constantine  the  Feird ;  and  of  sindry  mervellis  sene  in 
Albioun.  How  Constantine  and  Malcohne  contendit  for  the 
crown.  How  Inglismen  and  Danis  war  aggreit  be  Malcohne, 
Lord  of  Cumbir.  How  Constantine  and  Kenneth,  recountering 
othir  be  set  battall,  wer  baith  slane.  Chap.  XI.  p.  228. 

Of  King  Grime ;  and  of  gret  trubill  that  fell  betwix  him  and  Mal- 
colme,  Prince  of  Cumbir,  for  contentioun  of  the  crown.  And 
how  thay  Avar  finaly  aggreit.  Chap.  XII.  p.  230. 

How  gret  nowmer  of  Danis  war  slane  be  slicht  of  Inglismen.  Of 
the  orisoun  maid  to  King  Grime  be  the  nobillis  ;  and  how  he  was 
slane  be  Malcolme,  Prince  of  Cumbir.      Chap.  XIII.  p.  234. 

Of  Kino-  Malcolme  the  Secound.  How  Sueno,  King  of  Norroway, 
with  double  victory,  chasit  King  Eldreid  of  Ingland,  and  opprest 
Inglismen  with  gret  cruelteis.  Chap.  XIV.  p.  237. 

How  Olavus  and  Onctus  come  in  Scotland,  Avith  gret  army  of  Danis. 
And  how  King  Malcolme  Avas  discomfist.      Chap.  XV.  p.  240. 

How  the  Castell  of  Name  Avas  tane,  and  the  soudjouris  thairof  trea- 
sonabilly  slane,  be  Danis ;  and  hoAV  the  Danis  war  discomfist  at 
Murthlak.  Chap.  XVI.  p.  242. 

How  Camus,  Prince  of  NorroAvay,  cumand  with  ane  flote  of  Danis 
in  Angus,  Avas  slane,  and  his  army  discomfist,  be  King  Malcolme, 
at  Barre.    And  how  the  surname  of  Keithis  tuke  thair  beginning. 

Chap.  XVII.  p.  245. 

How  V  hundreth  Danis  Avar  slane  be  the  Thane  of  Buchquhane. 
How  Canute  come  Avith  neAV  army  of  Danis  in  Scotland,  and  Avas 
discomfist.  How  Scottis  and  Danis  war  finaly  aggreit  on  all  de- 
baitis.  Chap.  XVIII.  p.  247. 

How  King  Malcolme  devidit  his  realme  in  baronyis.  How  the 
nobillis  saif  to  him  the  Avardis,  rcloiffis,  and  mariage  of  thair  airis, 


TABULA.— VOL.  II.  Ixxxvii 

quhen  thay  vaikit.  How  the  salt  of  Abirdene  first  began.  Of 
the  deith  of  King  Malcohne ;  and  of  sindry  mervelUs  sene  in 
Albioun.  Chap.  XIX.  p.  249. 


THE  TABLE  OF  THE  TWELF  BUKE. 

Of  King;  Duncane.  How  the  surname  of  Stewartis  tuke  thair  first 
beginning ;  and  how  Makbeth  punist  sindry  enormiteis  done  in 
King  Duncanis  time.  Chap.  I.  p.  252. 

How  Edmond  Irneside  and  Canute  devidit  betwix  thaim  the  realme 
of  Ingland.  How  Sueno,  King  of  Norroway,  come  in  Scotland 
with  ane  army,  and  vincust  King  Duncane.  How  the  foresaid 
Sueno  was,  eftir,  vincust  be  ane  uncouth  shcht. 

Chap.  II.  p.  255. 

Of  the  weirdis  gevin  to  Makbeth  and  Banquho.  How  Makbeth 
was  maid  Thane  of  Cawder ;  and  how  he  slew  King  Duncane  to 
mak  himself  king.  Chap.  III.  p.  259. 

How  jNIakbeth  usurpit  the  crovm,  and  chasit  the  sonnis  of  King 
Duncane  in  Cumbir.  How  he  punist  sindi'y  limmaris,  and  maid 
lawis  for  the  commoun  weill.  Chap.  IV.  p.  261. 

How  Banquho  was  slane  be  Makbeth,  and  his  sonne  Fleance  slane 
in  Walis.  How  Walter,  the  sonne  of  Fleance,  come  in  Scotland. 
And  of  the  genelogy  of  Stewartis.  Chap.  V.  p.  264. 

How  Makbeth  slew  his  lordis,  for  proffet  of  thair  landis  and  guddis. 
How  he  biggit  the  Castell  of  Dunsinnane,  and  slew  Makduffis 
wife  and  his  barnis.  Of  the  orison  maid  to  Malcolme  Canmore 
be  Makduf.  Chap.  VI.  p.  268. 

How  Malcolme  Canmore  schew  himself  unabill  to  be  king,  for  his 
sindry  vicis.  And  how  he  come  in  Scotland,  and  was  maid  king 
thairof.     And  of  Makbethis  deith.  Chap.  VII.  p.  271. 

Of  the  deith  of  Edmond,  Canute,  Herald,  and  Hardy  Canute,  Kingis 
of  Ingland.  How  the  crown  of  Ingland  was  recoverit  fra  Danis ; 
and  Godowine  weryit  for  the  innocent  slauchter  of  Alarude. 

Chap.  VIII.  p.  274. 


Ixxxvi  TABULA— VOL.  II. 

succede  to  the  crown.    Of  the  message  send  be  Sanct  Edward  to 
King  Kenneth ;  and  of  Kennethis  orisoun  maid  to  his  nobillis. 

Chap.  IX.  p.  22L 

How  the  auld  lawis  war  abrogat  be  Kenneth,  concerning  the  elec- 
tioun  of  kingis;  and  new  lawis,  contrar  to  thaim,  institute.  Of 
the  visioun  that  come  to  him  in  his  bed ;  and  of  his  deith. 

Chap.  X.  p.  225. 

Of  King  Constantine  the  Feird ;  and  of  sindry  mervelhs  sene  in 
Albioun.  How  Constantine  and  Malcohne  contendit  for  the 
crown.  How  Inghsmen  and  Danis  war  aggreit  be  Malcohitie, 
Lord  of  Cumbir.  How  Constantine  and  Kenneth,  recountering 
othir  be  set  battall,  wer  baith  slane.  Chap.  XL  p.  228. 

Of  King  Grime ;  and  of  gret  trubill  that  fell  betwix  him  and  ]\Ial- 
colme,  Prince  of  Cumbir,  for  contentioun  of  the  crown.  And 
how  thay  war  finaly  aggreit.  Chap.  XII.  p.  230. 

How  gret  noAvmer  of  Danis  war  slane  be  slicht  of  Inglismen.  Of 
the  orisoun  maid  to  King  Grime  be  the  nobillis  ;  and  how  he  was 
slane  be  Malcolme,  Prince  of  Cumbir.      Chap.  XIII.  p.  234. 

Of  King  Malcolme  the  Secound.  How  Sueno,  King  of  Norroway, 
with  double  victory,  chasit  King  Eldreid  of  Ingland,  and  opprest 
Inglismen  with  gret  cruelteis.  Chap.  XIV.  p.  237. 

How  Olavus  and  Onetus  come  in  Scotland,  with  gret  army  of  Danis. 
And  how  King  ]Malcolme  was  discomfist.      Chap.  XV.  p.  240. 

How  the  Castell  of  Name  was  tane,  and  the  soudjouris  thairof  trea- 
sonabilly  slane,  be  Danis ;  and  how  the  Danis  war  discomfist  at 
Murthlak.  Chap.  XVI.  p.  242. 

How  Camus,  Prince  of  Norroway,  cumand  with  ane  flote  of  Danis 
in  Angus,  was  slane,  and  his  army  discomfist,  be  King  IVIalcolme, 
at  Barre.    And  how  the  surname  of  Keithis  tuke  thair  beginning. 

Chap.  XVII.  p.  245. 

How  V  hundreth  Danis  war  slane  be  the  Thane  of  Buchquhane. 
How  Canute  come  with  new  army  of  Danis  in  Scotland,  and  was 
discomfist.  How  Scottis  and  Danis  war  finaly  aggreit  on  all  de- 
baitis.  Chap.  XVIII.  p.  247. 

How  King  Malcolme  devidit  his  realme  in  baronyis.  How  the 
nobillis  gaif  to  him  the  wardis,  releiffis,  and  mariage  of  thair  airis. 


TABULA.— VOL.  II.  Ixxxvii 

quhen  thay  vaikit.  How  the  sait  of  Abirdene  first  began.  Of 
the  deith  of  King  Malcohne  ;  and  of  sindry  mervelUs  sene  in 
Albioun.  Chap.  XIX.  p.  249. 


THE  TABLE  OF  THE  TWELF  BUKE. 

Of  Kino;  Duncane.  How  the  surname  of  Stewartis  tuke  thair  first 
beginning ;  and  how  Makbeth  punist  sindry  enormiteis  done  in 
King  Duncanis  time.  Chap.  I.  p.  252. 

How  Edmond  Irneside  and  Canute  devidit  betwix  thaim  the  realme 
of  Ingland.  How  Sueno,  King  of  Norroway,  come  in  Scotland 
with  ane  army,  and  vincust  King  Duncane.  How  the  foresaid 
Sueno  was,  eftir,  vincust  be  ane  uncouth  shcht. 

Chap.  II.  p.  255. 

Of  the  weirdis  gevin  to  Makbeth  and  Banquho.  How  Makbeth 
was  maid  Thane  of  Cawder ;  and  how  he  slew  King  Duncane  to 
mak  himself  king.  Chap.  III.  p.  259. 

How  Makbeth  usurpit  the  croun,  and  chasit  the  sonnis  of  King 
Duncane  in  Cumbir.  How  he  punist  sindry  limmaris,  and  maid 
lawis  for  the  commoun  weill.  Chap.  IV.  p.  261. 

How  Banquho  was  slane  be  Makbeth,  and  his  sonne  Fleance  slane 
in  Walis.  How  Walter,  the  sonne  of  Fleance,  come  in  Scotland. 
And  of  the  genelogy  of  Stewartis.  Chap.  V.  p.  264. 

How  Makbeth  slew  his  lordis,  for  proffet  of  thair  landis  and  guddis. 
How  he  biggit  the  Castell  of  Dunsinnane,  and  slew  Makduffis 
wife  and  his  barnis.  Of  the  orison  maid  to  Malcolme  Canmore 
be  Makduf.  Chap.  VI.  p.  268. 

How  Malcolme  Canmore  schew  himself  unabill  to  be  king,  for  his 
sindry  vicis.  And  how  he  come  in  Scotland,  and  was  maid  king 
thairof.     And  of  Makbethis  deith.  Chap.  VII.  p.  271. 

Of  the  deith  of  Edmond,  Canute,  Herald,  and  Hardy  Canute,  Kingis 
of  Inffland.  How  the  crown  of  Ingland  was  recoverit  fra  Danis ; 
and  Godowine  weryit  for  the  innocent  slauchter  of  Alarude. 

Chap.  VIII.  p.  274. 


xc  TABULA.—VOL.  II. 

How  King  William  recoverit  his  landis.  How  Richard,  King  of 
Ingland,  and  Philhp,  King  of  France,  went  with  gret  armyis  in 
Jowry.  Of  thair  vassalage  and  trubill.  How  Erie  David  re- 
turnit  out  of  the  Haly  Land,  and  foundit  Lundoris. 

Chap.  VII.  p.  323. 

How  King  Richard  returnit  in  Ingland.  How  King  William  pu- 
nist  ffret  limmaris  in  his  realme.  Of  the  nativite  of  Prince  Alex- 
ander.  Of  the  coronation  of  King  Johne.  How  the  Pape  send 
ane  swerd  to  King  William.  Chap.  VIII.  p.  326. 

How  King  William  and  King  Johne  war  confiderat  togidder  be 
mariage.  Of  King  Williamis  haly  life,  and  liberalite  to  the  kirk. 
How  the  town  of  Perth  tuke  beginning.       Chap.  IX.  p.  328. 

How  King  Johne  subdewit  Ireland  and  Walls.  How  King  Wil- 
liam punist  sindry  conspiratouris.  How  Ingland  and  Ireland 
war  maid  tributaris  to  the  Pape.  Of  King  Williamis  deith  ;  and 
how  sindry  ordouris  of  freris  began.  Chap.  X.  p.  330. 

Of  King  Alexander  the  Secound,  and  his  actis.  How  King  Johne 
of  Ingland  invadit  the  kirk  with  gret  exactionis.  How  the  Pape 
and  kirkmen  war  corruppit,  be  his  money,  to  assist  to  his  opinioun. 
How  King  Alexander  renewit  the  band  of  France ;  and  of  the 
deith  of  King  Johne.  Chap.  XI.  p.  333. 

Of  the  Generall  Counsall  haldin  at  Rome  be  Paip  Innocent ;  and 
how  the  Kingis  of  Scotland  and  Ingland  invadit  aithir  realmes 
with  gret  heirschippis  and  slauchter ;  and  how  thay  war  aggreit. 

Chap.  XII.  p.  336. 

How  King  Hary  and  King  Alexander  war  alliat  be  mariage.  Of 
the  translation  of  Sanct  Thomas  of  Canterbury.  Of  sindry  le- 
gatis  send  in  Scotland  be  the  Pape,  to  conques  money. 

Chap.  XIII.  p.  838. 

How  King  Alexander  punist  sindry  conspiratouris  in  his  realme. 
Of  the  first  cuming  of  Blak  and  Gray  Freris  in  Scotland. 

Chap.  XIV.  p.  340. 

How  King  Alexander  punist  sindry  conspiratouris,  and  aggreit 
King  Hary  of  Ingland  and  his  nobillis.  Of  his  new  mariage ; 
and  of  the  nativite  of  his  sonne  Alexander.  How  mony  noblis  of 
Scotland  war  slane  in  Jowry.  Chap.  XV.  p.  342. 


TABULA.— VOL.  IL  xci 

How  the  reliques  of  Sanct  Margaret  war  translatit.  How  King- 
Alexander  was  haldin  in  captivite  Avith  the  Cumingis.  Of  his 
mariage  with  King  Hary  the  Thrid ;  and  of  the  bigging  of  Sanct 
Mungois  Kirk.  Chap.  XVI.  p.  344. 

Of  gret  derth  in  Albioun.  How  Acho,  King  of  Norroway,  invadit 
Scotland  with  gret  cruelteis.  Of  the  orisoun  maid  to  him  be  am- 
bassatouris  of  King  Alexander.  Chap.  XVII.  p.  347. 

How  King  Alexander  come  with  ane  army  aganis  King  Acho.  Of 
the  orisonis  maid  be  the  two  kingis  to  thair  armyis;  and  how 
King  Acho  Avas  discomfist  at  Largis.       Chap.  XVIII.  p.  349- 

Of  the  nativite  of  Alexander  the  Feird.  Of  the  message  send  be 
Magnus,  King  of  Norroway,  to  King  Alexander  the  Thrid ;  and 
of  his  ansAver.  And  how  the  said  Alexander  recoverit  the  His  of 
Scotland  fra  the  Danis.  Chap.  XIX.  p.  353. 

Of  the  ansAver  maid  to  the  Papis  legat  be  King  Alexander.  Of  the 
nativite  of  Robert  Bruce,  the  vailyeant  conqueroure.  Of  the 
deith  of  King  Alexanderis  Avife,  and  hir  barnis. 

Chap.  XX.  p.  354. 

Of  sindry  actis  done  be  King  Alexander;  and  of  his  deith.  Of 
Thomas  Rymoure.  Of  sindry  merA'eliis  sene  in  Albioun ;  and  of 
mony  nobill  clerkis.  Chap.  XXI.  p.  357. 


THE  TABLE  OF  THE  FOURTENE  BUKE. 

How  Scotland  was  gidit  be  vi  Governouris.  How  the  mariage  be- 
twix  the  Madin  of  NorroAvay  and  King  Edward,  failyeit.  How 
Bruce  and  Ballioll  contendit  for  the  croAvne.  How  the  decisioun 
thairof  was  committit  to  King  Edward ;  and  hoAv  he  maid  the 
BaUioll  king.  Chap.  I.  p.  360. 

How  the  Ballioll  come  in  gret  trubill,  for  the  making  of  homage  to 
King  Edward.  Of  his  allia  Avith  King  Phillip  of  France.  How 
King  Edward  wan  Berwik  be  treasoun,  and  slew  al  Scottis  in  the 
samin.  Chap.  II.  p,  364. 

How  King  Ballioll  Avas  discomfist  at  Dunbar,  and  tint  all  the  strenthis 


xcii  TABULA.— VOL.  II. 

of  Scotland.     How  he  gaif  ouir  the  crown  to  King  Edward,  and 
fled  in  France.  Chap.  III.  p.  366. 

How  Kinge  Edward  come  with  ane  army  aganis  France.  Plow  the 
Erie  of  Buchquhane  maid  gret  heirschippis  in  Ingland.  Of  Wil- 
liam Wallace,  and  his  vassalage  aganis  Inglismen. 

Chap.  IV.  p.  368. 

Of  King  Edwardis  message  send  to  Wallace.  Of  AVallace  answer ; 
and  of  his  gret  prudence  in  chevelry.  How  the  Scottis  Avar  dis- 
comfist  at  the  Falkirk ;  and  how  the  King  of  France  purchest 
peace  to  Scottis.  Chap.  V.  p.  370. 

How  Inglismen  war  discomfist  at  Rosling.  How  King  Edward  con- 
quest gret  rowmes  in  Scotland ;  and  how  the  Forbessis  tuk  thair 
first  beginning.  Chap.  VI.  p.  374. 

Of  sindry  gret  cruelteis  done  be  King  Edward  aganis  Scottis.  How 
the  Bruce  and  Cumin  war  confiderat;  and  how  the  Cumin  was 
slane.  Chap.  VII.  p.  377. 

How  Wallace  was  betraisit  be  Schir  Johne  Menteith.  Of  King- 
Robert  Brucis  coronatioun ;  and  of  his  gret  misery.  How  he 
conquest  Scotland;  and  how  the  Douglas  tuk  thair  beginning. 

Chap.  VIII.  p.  380. 

Of  the  deith  of  the  tyrane,  King  Edward  Langschankis ;  and  how 
Edward  Carnaver,  his  son,  was  maid  King  of  Ingland.  How 
King  Robert  gat  sindry  victoryis  on  his  ennimes;  and  of  gret 
derth  in  Scotland.  Chap.  IX.  p.  384. 

Of  the  condition  of  trewis  tane  betwix  Edward  Bruce  and  the  capi- 
tane  of  Striveling.  How  King  Edward  come,  with  iii.c  thousand 
men,  to  reskew  Striveling.  Of  the  victory  fallin  to  Erie  Thomas 
Randale.  Chap.  X.  p.  386. 

How  the  two  kingis  exhortit  thair  armyis  to  battall.  How  Inglis- 
men war  discomfist  at  Banochburn,  and  King  Edward  chasit  be 
the  Douglas  to  Dunbar.  Of  gret  riches  that  fell  to  Scottis  be 
this  victory.  How  the  town  of  Handwarp  and  Flemingis  tuke 
thair  beginning.  Chap.  XI.  p.  390. 

How  the  crown  of  Scotland  was  tailyeit  to  King  Robert  and  his 
airis.  How  Edward,  his  brothir,  Avas  maid  King  of  Ireland,  and 
slane  be  Inglismen.  How  King  Robert  sufferit  gret  distres  in 
Ireland.  Chap.  XII.  p.  395. 


TABULA— VOL.  IL  xciii 

How  King  Edward  was  discomfist  be  Schir  James  Douglas.  Of 
gret  vassalage  done  be  William  Sinclar,  Bischop  of  Dunkeld, 
aganis  Inglismen ;  and  how  Berwik  was  recoverit. 

Chap.  Xin.  p.  397. 

Of  the  Blak  Parliament.  How  King  Edward  complanit  to  the  Paip 
for  injuris  of  Scottis.  Of  the  orison  maid  be  the  Papis  legat  to 
King  Robert;  and  of  his  answer.  Chap.  XIV.  p.  398. 

How  King  Edward,  efter  gret  cruelteis  done  be  his  array  in  Scot- 
land, Avas  discomfist  be  King  Robert  at  Byland.  How  the  Ham- 
miltonis  tuke  thair  beginning ;  and  of  King  Edwardis  deith. 

Chap.  XV.  p.  401. 

How  Johne  BallioU  transferrit  all  richt  that  he  had  to  the  crown  of 
Scotland,  in  King  Robert.  How  the  crown  was  new  tailyeit  to 
David  Bruce.  How  Schir  James  Douglas  and  Erie  Thomas 
Randale  did  gret  vassalage  in  Scotland.     Chap.  XVI.  p.  403. 

Of  the  deith  and  loving  of  King  Robert  Bruce ;  and  of  his  testament 
and  legacy.  How  Schir  James  Douglas  was  chosin  to  pas  with 
his  hart  in  the  Haly  Land.  Chap.  XVII.  p.  406. 


THE  TABLE  OF  THE  FIFTENE  BUKE. 

How  Schir  James  of  Dowglas  past,  with  King  Robertis  hart,  to  the 
haly  graif.  Of  the  coronation  of  King  David  Bruce ;  and  how 
the  Erie,  Thomas  Randale,  was  maid  governour ;  and  of  his 
deith.  Chap.  I.  p.  409. 

How  the  Erlis  of  Marche  and  Mar  was  maid  governouris  of  Scot- 
land. How  Edward  Ballioll  come  in  Scotland,  to  conques  the 
crown ;  and  of  the  battal  of  Duphne.  Chap.  II.  p.  414. 

How  Edward  Balliol  was  crownit  at  Scone.  How  King  David  fled 
in  France.  How  Perth  was  recoverit,  and  the  Ballioll  vincust  be 
the  Douglas ;  and  how  King  Edward  segit  Berwik. 

Chap.  III.  p.  417. 

Of  the  orison  maid  be  Alexander  Seytonis  wife ;  and  how  his  son 
was  slane  be  tyranny  of  King  Edward.  Chap.  IV.  p.  420. 


xciv  TABULA.— VOL.  II. 

How  the  Scottis  war  discomfist  at  Halidon  hill ;  and  Berwik  ran- 
derit  to  Inglismen,  with  mony  othir  strenthis  and  munitionis  of 
Scotland.  Chap.  V.  p.  422. 

Of  the  contention  betwix  Alexander  Mowbray,  and  Hary  Bew- 
mont ;  and  how  Inglismen  perist  at  the  sege  of  Lochlevin. 

Chap  VI.  p.  425. 

How  Robert  Stewart  and  Johne  Randall  recoverit  sindry  strenthis 
of  Scotland.  How  David  Cumin  was  brocht  to  gret  trubill  for 
his  rebellion  aganis  Scottis ;  and  how  he  wes  tane  in  favour. 

Chap.  VII.  p.  427. 

How  King  Edward  come  in  Scotland  with  gret  armyis,  baith  be  see 
and  land.  How  the  Duke  of  Gilder  was  discomfist,  and  how  Erie 
David  Cumin  was  slane.  Chap.  VIII.  p.  429. 

How  Andro  Murray  was  maid  Governoure  of  Scotland.  How 
King  Edward  returnit  with  new  army  in  Scotland ;  and  how 
Inglismen  war  discomfist  at  Panmore.  Chap.  IX.  p.  431. 

How  William  Talbot,  and  Richard  Montagew  war  vincust  be 
Scottis.  Of  the  deith  of  Andro  Murray.  Of  sindry  vassalagis 
done  be  William  Douglas  ;  and  of  gret  derth  in  Albion. 

Chap.  X.  p.  433. 

How  the  BaUioll  fled  in  Ingland.  Of  gret  vassalage  done  be  Ro- 
bert Stewart,  and  AVilliam  Dowglas.  How  King  David  returnit 
in  Scotland ;  and  how  William  Douglas  was  banist. 

Chap.  XL  p.  435. 

How  King  David  rewardit  the  airis  of  thaim  that  war  slane  at  Dup- 
hne,  and  Halidon  hill ;  and  how  he  invadit  Ingland,  sindry 
times,  with  gret  injuris.  Chap.  XI I.  p.  438. 

How  King  David,  at  the  request  of  France,  invadit  Ingland  mth 
gret  displeseris  ;  and  how  he  was  takin  at  Durame.  How  Ing- 
lismen conquest  gret  boundis  in  Scotland. 

Chap.  XIII.  p.  440. 

How  William  Dowglas  recoverit  sindry  landis  out  of  Inglismennis 
handis,  and  invadit  Ingland  with  gret  displeseris ;  and  how  King 
Edward  wrocht  gret  trubill  in  Scotland. 

Chap.  XIV.  p.  444. 


TABULA.— VOL.  II  xcv 

Of  the  battall  of  Poiteris.  How  King  David  was  redemit ;  and  how 
he  punist  his  baronis  for  thair  fleing  fra  him  at  Durame. 

Chap.  XV.  p.  U6. 

Of  gret  trubill  that  fell  in  Scotland,  be  King  Davidis  seeound  ma- 
nage. Of  his  deith.  Of  sindry  gret  clerkis  and  mervellis  sene 
in  Albioun.  Chap.  XVI.  p.  449. 


THE  TABLE  OF  THE  SEXTENE  BUKE. 

How  Robert  Stewart  was  maid  King  of  Scottis.  Of  his  sonnis  and 
douchteris  ;  and  how  the  realm  was  tailjeit  to  thaim. 

Chap.  I.  p.  45L 

How  the  Erie  of  Marche  brint  Roxburgh;  and  how  Inglismen 
war  sindry  times  discorafist  be  Scottis.  Chap.  II.  p.  453. 

Of  gret  pest  in  Scotland.  How  Inglismen  was  discomfist  at  Sulway. 
Of  the  message  send  be  Charlis  of  France ;  and  how  the  surname 
of  Lyonis  tuke  thair  beginning.  Chap.  III.  p.  455. 

Of  gret  cruelteis  done  be  Inglismen  aganis  Scottis.  How  the  King 
of  France  send  gret  support  to  Scottis.  Chap.  IV.  p.  457. 

How  King  Richard  invadit  Scotland,  with  gret  cruelteis.  Of  gret 
vassalage  done  be  William  Douglas.  Chap.  V.  p.  459. 

How  Robert  Stewart  and  William  Douglas  did  gret  vassalage  in 
Ireland.  How  James,  Erie  of  Douglas,  vincust  Hary  Perse,  in 
singulare  battall ;  and  how  he  segit  the  New  Castell. 

Chap.  VI.  p.  461. 

How  Inglismen  war  discomfist  at  Otterburn,  the  Erie  of  Douglas 
slane,  and  the  Perse  brocht  presoner  in  Scotland.  How  the 
Hepburnis  tuke  thair  beginning.  Chap.  VII.  p.  464. 

How  Robert,  Erie  of  FifFe,  was  maid  Governour  of  Scotland.  How 
Alexander,  bastard  sonne  to  King  Robert,  was  punist  for  his 
tyranny;  and  of  King  Robertis  deith.       Chap.  VIII.  p.  467. 

Of  King  Robert  the  thrid.  Of  the  deith  of  William  Douglas,  lord 
of  Niddisdale.  How  the  clannis  of  Clankayis  and  Glenquhat- 
tanis  faucht  at  Perth.  Chap.  IX.  p.  468. 


xcvi  TABULA—VOL.  II. 

How  King  Robert  maid  his  son  Duke  of  Rothesay,  and  his  brothir 
Duke  of  Albany.  Of  gret  vassalage  done  be  the  Erie  of  Craw- 
furd.  Chap.  X.  p.  470. 

How  Schir  Robert  Morlo  was  vincust  be  Hew  Traill.  How  Hary, 
Duk  of  Longcastel,  conquest  the  croun  of  Ingland,  and  deprivit 
King  Richard.  Chap.  XL  p.  472. 

How  the  mariage  betwix  the  Duk  of  Rothesay  and  the  Erie  of 
Marchis  douchter,  was  dissolvit.  Of  the  trubill  that  come  thair- 
throw.  Chap.  XII.  p.  474. 

How  King  Hary  come  in  Scotland  with  gret  army.  Of  the  deith 
of  the  Duke  of  Rothesay ;  and  how  the  Scottis  war  discomfist  at 
Nesbet,  be  the  Erie  of  Marche.  Chap.  XIII.  p.  475. 

How  the  Scottis  war  discomfist  at  Homildoun.  How  Hary  Hait- 
spur,  and  Thomas  Perse,  his  brothir,  wes  slane  at  Schrewisbery, 
and  the  Erie  of  Douglas  tane.  Chap.  XIV.  p.  477. 

How  James,  secound  son  to  King  Robert,  wes  tane  be  Inglismen. 
Of  the  tennour  of  the  letteris  send  with  him. 

Chap.  XV.  p.  480. 

Of  the  gret  lamentation  maid  be  King  Robert  the  thrid,  for  the 
taking  of  his  sonne;  and  of  his  deith.         Chap.  XVI.  p.  483. 

How  the  Universite  of  Sanct  Androis  tuk  beginning.  How  gret 
virtew  and  police  was  brocht  in  Scotland,  be  King  James  the  First. 
How  gret  skaith  fallis  in  this  realine,  be  promotion  of  vitius  pre- 
latis.  Chap.  XV  XL  p.  485. 

How  the  Erlis  of  Buchquhane  and  Wigtoun  went,  with  gret  ar- 
myis,  in  support  of  France  ;  and  of  the  deith  of  Duk  Robert. 

Chap.  XVIII.  p.  488. 

How  the  Duke  of  Clarence  was  slane,  with  mony  othir  lordis  of 
Ingland,  at  Bawge.  Of  the  deith  of  King  Hary  and  King 
Charlis.  Chap.  XIX.  p.  490. 

How  ambassatouris  war  send  in  Ingland,  for  redemption  of  James 
the  First.  How  the  Franchemen  and  Scottis  war  discomfist  at 
Vernoll ;  and  of  gret  vassalage  done  be  the  madin  of  France. 

Chap.  XX.  p.  493. 


TABULA— VOL.  IL 


THE  TABLE  OF  THE  SEVINTENE  BUKE. 

How  James  the  First  was  redemit.     Of  his  coronation  and  actis. 

Chap.  I.  p.  496. 

How  Duke  Murdo,  and  his  two  sonnis,  war  justifyit  be  King  James. 
How  the  Erie  of  Cathnes  was  slane  at  Inverlochty,  and  the  Erie 
of  Mar  vincust.  Chap.  II.  p.  499. 

Of  gret  justice  done  be  King  James  the  First,  in  al  partis  of  Scot- 
land. Of  the  nativite  of  James  the  Secund.  Of  sindry  actis 
done  be  the  said  nobill  prince,  James  the  First. 

Chap.  III.  p.  501. 

How  the  Bischop  of  Sanct  Androis,  be  lang  precheing,  dissuadit 
the  riatus  custome  of  bankettis.  Chap.  IV.  p.  503. 

Of  the  sege  of  Roxburgh.  How  the  King  brocht  mony  craftismen 
in  this  realme.  How  Paule  Craw  was  brint,  and  the  charturaris 
of  Perth  foundit.  Chap.  V.  p.  505. 

How  the  Erie  of  Marche  was  forfaltit.  Of  sindry  vassalage  done 
be  the  Erie  of  Mar  ;  and  of  his  gret  industry  and  wisdome. 

Chap.  VI.  p.  507. 

How  Denmark  and  Scotland  war  aggreit  of  all  debaitis.  How 
King  James  douchter,  Margaret,  was  maryit  on  the  Dalphine  of 
France ;  and  how  the  Perse  was  discomfist  be  the  Douglas,  at 
Piperdene.  Chap.  VII.  p.  508. 

Of  the  slauchter  of  King  James  the  First ;  and  of  the  punitioun 
that  was  maid  thairfore ;  and  of  sindry  mervellis  sene  in  Albioun, 

Chap.  VIII.  p.  510 


VOL.   I. 


HEIR  BEGINNIS  THE  NAMES  OF  ALL  SCOTTIS 
KINGIS,  SEN  THAIR  REALME  BEGAN;  SCHAW- 
AND  BREVELY  IN  QUHAT  BUKE,  CHAPITOURE, 
AND  LEIF,  IN  THE  STORY  FOLLOWING,  THAIR 
LIVIS  AND  MARCIALL  DEDIS  SAL  BE  ESALY 
FOUNDIN. 


VOL.  I. 


fmv/W^^'^^^^sS^ 

m 

^  1 

Ergus,  the  First  King  of  Scottis;  in  the  First  Buke, 
Chap.  VI.  p.  15. 

Ferithais,  the  secund  king ;  in  the  Secund  Buke,  Chap. 
II.  p.  34. 

Maynus,  the  thrid  king;  in  the  Secund  Buke,  Chap.  III.  p.  37. 
Dorvidilla,  the  feird  king;  in  the  Secund  Buke,  Chap.  IV.  p.  38. 
Nathak,  the  v  king;  in  the  Secund  Buke,  Chap.  V.  p.  40. 
Rewtar,  the  vi  king;  in  the  Secund  Buke,  Chap.  VI.  p.  41. 
Rewtha,  the  vii  king;  in  the  Secund  Buke,  Chap.  X.  p.  47. 
Therius,  the  viii  king;  in  the  Secund  Buke,  Chap.  XL  p.  49- 
Josyn,  the  ix  king;  in  the  Secund  Buke,  Chap.  XII.  p.  51. 
Fynnane,  the  x  king;  in  the  Secund  Buke,  Chap.  XIII.  p.  53. 
Durstus,  the  xi  king;  in  the  Secund  Buke,  Chap.  XIV.  p.  ^^. 
Ewin  the  First,  and  xii  king;  in  the  Secund  Buke,  Chap.  XV. 
p.  58. 


NAMES  OF  ALL  SCOTTIS  KINGIS.  xcix 

Gillus,  the  xiii  king;  in  the  Secund  Biike,  Chap.  XVI.  p.  Gl. 
Ewin  the  Secund,  and  xiv  king ;  in  the  Secund  Buke,  Chap.  XVII. 

p.  64. 
Edeir,  the  xv  king;  in  the  Thrid  Buke,  Chap.  I.  p.  71. 
Ewin  the  Thrid,  and  xvi  king ;  in  the  Thrid  Buke,  Chap.  V.  p.  8^2. 
Metellane,  the  xvii  king;  in  the  Thrid  Buke,  Chap.  VI.  p.  84. 
Caratak,  the  xviii  king;  in  the  Thrid  Buke,  Chap.  VII.  p.  86. 
Corbreid,  the  xix  king;  in  the  Feird  Buke,  Chap.  I.  p.  113. 
Dardannus,  the  xx  king;  in  the  iv  Buke,  Chap.  VII.  p.  128. 
Galdus,  the  xxi  king;  in  the  iv  Buke,  Chap.  VIIL  p.  131. 
Lugtak,  the  xxii  king ;  in  the  v  Buke,  Chap.  I,  p.  164. 
Mogallus,  the  xxiii  king;  in  the  v  Buke,  Chap.  II.  p.  166. 
Conarus,  the  xxiv  king;  in  the  v  Buke,  Chap.  VI.  p.  175. 
Ethodius  the  First,  and  xxv  king;  in  the  v  Buke,  Chap.  VIIL 

p.  179. 
Satraell,  the  xxvi  king;  in  the  v  Buke,  Chap.  XII.  p.  187. 
Donald  the  First,  and  xxvii  king;   in  the  v  Buke,  Chap.  XIII. 

p.  188. 
Ethodius  the  Secund,  and  xxviii  king ;  in  the  v  Buke,  Chap.  XVII. 

p.  196. 
Athirco,  the  xxix  king;  in  the  vi  Buke,  Chap.  I.  p.  198. 
Nathalak,  the  xxx  king;  in  the  vi  Buke,  Chap.  II.  p.  200. 
Findok,  the  xxxi  king;  in  the  vi  Buke,  Chap.  III.  p.  204. 
Donald  the  Secound,  and  xxxii  king;  in  the  vi  Buke,  Chap.  IV. 

p.  206. 
Donald  the  Thrid,  and  xxxiii  king ;   in  the  vi  Buke,  Chap.  V. 

p.  207. 
Craithlint,  the  xxxiv  king ;  in  the  vi  Buke,  Chap.  VI.  p.  209. 
Fincormak,  the  xxxv  king ;  in  the  vi  Buke,  Chap.  X.  p.  220. 
Romak,  the  xxxvi  king;  in  the  vi  Buke,  Chap.  XIL  p.  224. 
Angusiane,  the  xxxvii  king;  in  the  vi  Buke,  Chap.  XIII.  p.  227. 
Fethelraak,  the  xxxviii  king;  in  the  vi  Buke,  Chap.  XIV.  p.  230. 
Eugenius  the  First,  and  xxxix  king;  in  the  vi  Buke,  Chap.  XVI. 

p.  233. 
Fergus  the  Secund,  and  xl  king ;  in  the  vii  Buke,  Chap.  V.  p.  256. 
Eugenius  the  Secund,  and  xli  king;  in  the  vii  Buke,  Chap.  XII. 

p.  271. 


NAMES  OF  ALL  SCOTTIS  KINGIS. 


VOL.  11. 

DoNGARD,  the  xLii  king;  in  the  viii  Buke,  Chap.  IV.  p.  11. 
Constantine  the  First,  and  xliii  king ;  in  the  viii  Buke,  Chap.  VII. 

p.  20. 
Congallus,  the  xliv  king;  in  the  viii  Buke,  Chap.  VIII.  p.  22. 
Conrannus,  the  xlv  king ;  in  the  ix  Buke,  Chap.  I.  p.  59. 
Eugenius  the  Thrid,  and  xlvi  king ;  in  the  ix  Buke,  Chap.  XI. 

p.  82. 
Conwallus,  the  xlvii  king;  in  the  ix  Buke,  Chap.  XIV.  p.  89. 
Kinnatill,  the  xlviii  king;  in  the  ix  Buke,  Chap.  XV.  p.  91. 
Adane,  the  xlix  king;  in  the  ix  Buke,  Chap.  XV.  p.  91. 
Kenneth  the  First,  and  l  king ;  in  the  ix  Buke,  Chap.  XVIII.  p.  99. 
Eugenius  the  Fourt,  and  li  king ;  in  the  ix  Buke,  Chap.  XVIII. 

p.  99. 
Ferquhard  the  First,  and  lii  king;  in  the  ix  Buke,  Chap.  XIX. 

p.  101. 
Donevald,  the  liii  king;  in  the  ix  Buke,  Chap.  XX.  p.  103. 
Ferquhard  the  Secund,  and  liv  king ;  in  the  ix  Buke,  Chap.  XXI. 

p.  107. 
Maldwine,  the  Lv  king;  in  the  ix  Buke,  Chap.  XXII.  p.  110. 
Eugenius  the  Fift,  and  lvi  king;  in  the  ix  Buke,  Chap.  XXIII. 

p.  111. 
Eugenius  the  Sext,  and  Lvii  king ;  in  the  ix  Buke,  Chap.  XXIV. 

p.  lis. 

Amberkeleth,  the  lviii  king;  in  the  ix  Buke,  Chap.  XXV.  p.  115. 
Eugenius  the  Sevint,  and  lix  king ;  in  the  ix  Buke,  Chap.  XXV. 

p.  115. 
Mordak,  the  lx  king;  in  the  ix  Buke,  Chap.  XXVI.  p.  117. 
Ethfine,  the  Lxi  king;  in  the  rx  Buke,  Chap.  XXVII.  p.  119. 
Eugenius  the  Aucht,   and  lxii   king;    in  the   ix   Buke,   Chap. 
XXVIII.  p.  120. 


NAMES  OF  ALL  SCOTTIS  KINGIS.  ci 

Fergus  the  Secund,  and  lxiii  king ;  in  the  ix  Buke,  Chap.  XXIX. 

p.  121. 
Solvathius,  the  lxiv  king;  in  the  ix  Buke,  Chap.  XXX.  p.  123. 
Achaius,  the  lxv  king;  in  the  x  Buke,  Chap.  I.  p.  126. 
Conwallus,  the  lxvi  king;  in  the  x  Buke,  Chap.  VI.  p.  14f3. 
Dongallus,  the  lxvii  king ;  in  the  x  Buke,  Chap.  VII.  p.  143. 
Alpine,  the  lxviii  king;  in  the  x  Buke,  Chap.  VIII.  p.  146. 
Kenneth  the  Secound,  and  lxix  king;  in  the  x  Buke,  Chap.  IX. 

p.  150. 
Donald  the  Feird,  and  lxx  king ;  in  the  x  Buke,  Chap.  XIII.  p. 

166. 
Constantine  the  Secound,  and  lxxi  king  ;  in  the  x  Buke,  Chap. 

XV.  p.  173. 
Ethus,  the  lxxii  king;  in  the  x  Buke,  Chap.  XVIII.  p.  179. 
Gregoure,  the  lxxhi  king;  in  the  x  Buke,  Chap.  XIX.  p.  181. 
Donald  the  Fift,  and  lxxiv  king ;  in  the  x  Buke,  Chap.  XXII. 

p.  193. 
Constantine  the  Thrid,  and  lxxv  king ;  in  the  xi  Buke,  Chap.  I. 

p.  197. 
Malcolme  the  First,  and  lxxvi  king ;  in  the  xi  Buke,  Chap.  II. 

p.  201. 
Indulphe,  the  lxxvii  king;  in  the  xi  Buke,  Chap.  III.  p.  203. 
Duffus,  the  Lxxviii  king ;  in  the  xi  Buke,  Chap.  IV.  p.  205. 
Culine,  the  Lxxix  king ;  in  the  xi  Buke,  Chap.  VT.  p.  211. 
Kenneth  the  Thrid,  and  lxxx  king ;  in  the  xi  Buke,  Chap.  VII. 

p.  213. 
Constantine  the  Feird,  and  lxxxi  king ;  in  the  xi  Buke,  Chap.  XI. 

p.  228. 
Grime,  the  lxxxii  king,  in  the  xi  Buke,  Chap.  XII,  p.  230. 
Malcolme  the  Secound,  and  lxxxiii  king;  in  the  xi  Buke,  Chap. 

XIV.  p.  237. 
Duncane  the  First,  and  lxxxiv  king;  in  the  xii  Buke,  Chap.  I. 

p.  252. 
Makbeth,  the  lxxxv  king;  in  the  xii  Buke,  Chap.  IV.  p.  26J. 
Malcolme  the  Thrid,  and  lxxxvi  king ;  in  the  xii  Buke,  Chap.  VII. 

p.  271. 


cii  NAMES  OF  ALL  SCOTTIS  KINGIS. 

Donald  the  Sext,  and  lxxxvii  king  ;  in  tlie  xii  Bake,  Chap.  XTII. 

p.  288. 
Edgar,  the  lxxxix  king;  in  the  xii  Buke,  Chap.  XIIL  p.  288. 
Alexander  the  First,  and  xc  king;  in  the  xii  Buke,  Chap.  XV. 

p.  293. 
David  the  First,  and  xcr  king;  in  the  xii  Buke,  Chap.  XVI.  p. 

296. 
Malcolme  the  Fourt,  and  xcii  king;  in  the  xiii  Buke,  Chap.  L 

p.  307. 
William,  the  xciii  king  ;  in  the  xiii  Buke,  Chap.  IV,  p.  314. 
Alexander  the  Secound,  and  xciv  king;  in  the  xiii  Buke,  Chap. 

XI.  p.  333. 
Alexander  the  Thrid,  and  xcv  king;  in  the  xiii  Buke,  Chap.  XVI. 

p.  344. 
Johne  Ballioll,  the  xcvi  king  ;  in  the  xiv  Buke,  Chap.  I.  p.  360. 
Robert  the  First,  and  xcvii  king;  in  the  xiv  Buke,  Chap.  VIII. 

p.  380. 
David  the  Secound,  and  xcviii  king;  in  the  xv  Buke,  Chap.  I. 

(p.  409})  to  the  end  thairof. 
Robert  the  Secound,  and  xcix  king ;  in  the  xvi  Buke,  Chap.  I. 

p.  45L 
Robert  the   Thrid,  and  c   king  ;    in  the  xvi  Buke,   Chap.   IX. 

p.  468. 
James  the  First,  and  ci  king;  in  the  xvii  Buke,  Chap.  I.  to  the 
end  thairof,  p.  496. 

James  the  Secound,  son  to  James  the  First,  was  the  cii  King  of 
Scottis.  He  had  gret  trubill,  certane  yeris  in  the  beginning  of  his 
regne,  be  conspiratioun  of  his  principall  baronis,  aganis  him  :  bot, 
at  last,  he  dantit  thaim  all.  And  efter  that  he  had  rong  xxiv  yeris, 
and  brocht  all  his  subdittis  to  gret  tranquillite  and  peace,  he  was 
slane  at  Roxburgh,  be  sklice  of  ane  gun,  that  brak  be  ouircharge- 
ing,  the  xvii  day  of  August,  the  yeir  of  God,  mcccclx.  And  for 
certane  reasonable  causis  moving  us,  we  have  left  the  history  un- 
writtin,  baith  of  James  the  Secund,  Thrid,  and  Feird,  quhill  time 
mair  ganand  occur. 


't)  • 


NAMES  OF  ALL  SCOTTIS  KLNGIS. 

James  the  Thrid,  son  to  James  the  Secound,  wes  the  cm  kin 
richt  different  fra  the  chance  and  fortoun  of  his  fader,  in  govern 
ance  of  his  realme :  for  he  began  with  gret  tranquiUite,  with  peace 
and  justice  ;    bot,  at  last,  be  conspiration  of  the  maist  part  of  his 
baronis,  aganis  him,  he  was  slane,  the  xi  day  of  Juny,  the  yeir  of 

God,  MCCCCLXXXVIII. 

James  the  Fourt,  son  to  James  the  Thrid,  was  the  civ  kin<r :  and 
had  his  reahne  mony  yeris  in  gret  tranquiUite,  be  equall  ministra- 
tion of  j  ustice,  throw  al  partis  of  his  realme :  all  theift,  reif,  and 
slauchter,  dantit  be  his  soverane  justice.  Quhil,  at  last,  fortoun 
began  to  invy  his  gret  felicite,  and  causit  him  to  move  weir  aganis 
Ingland,  for  the  action  allanerly  of  France,  that  he  micht,  be  his 
battal,  draw  the  King  of  Ingland  out  of  France,  quhilk  was  invad- 
ing it,  for  the  time,  with  maist  awfuU  and  dangerous  weris ;  and 
come  to  the  bordouris  Avith  ane  hundreth  thousand  armit  men. 
And  efter  that  he  had  won  the  castell  of  Norame,  with  mony  othir 
strenthis  of  the  bordouris  of  Ingland,  he  abaid  xx  dayis,  but  ony 
battall,  quhill  the  two  part  of  his  army  war  skalit  fra  him.  At  last, 
ruscheand  ouir  feirsly  on  his  ennimes,  but  ordour,  was  slane  at 
Floddon,  with  mony  of  all  his  nobillis,  the  ix  day  of  September,  the 
XXV  yeir  of  his  regne,  the  yeir  of  God,  mdcxiii. 

James  the  Fift  is  the  cv  King  of  Scottis,  regnand  now,  with  gret 
felicite  and  honour,  abone  us ;  the  maist  noble  and  vailyeand  prince 
that  evir  rang  afore  his  time :  quhom  God  conserve,  and  grant  him 
grace  to  persevere  in  j  ustice,  with  lang  empire,  and  gud  successioun 
of  his  body  !     Amen. 


C^  Tf  ^tix  tntiiQ  tje  Itamis  of  tje  itinsis* 


THE 


^rofjeme  of  tfje  Itistorg, 


THE  TRANSLATOURE  SAYIS  TO  HIS  BUKE, 


How  Marciall  Buke,  pas  to  the  nobill  Prince, 

King  James  the  Fift,  my  soverane  maist  preclare. 
And  gif  sum  time  thow  gettis  audience, 
In  humill  wise,  unto  his  grace  declare 
My  walkrife  nichtis,  and  my  lauboure  sare: 

Quhilk  ithandly  hes  for  his  pleseir  tak  ; 
Quhill  goldin  Titan,  with  his  birnand  chare, 
Hes  past  all  signis  in  the  Zodiak  ; 

Quhill  besy  Ceres,  with  hir  pleuch  and  harrois, 

Hes  fild  hir  grain  gis  full  of  every  corne ; 
And  stormy  Chiron,  with  his  bow  and  arrois, 

Hes  all  the  cloudis  of  the  hevinnis  schorne ; 
And  schill  Triton,  with  his  windy  home, 

Ouirquhemlit  all  the  flowand  occean; 
And  Phebus  turnit  under  Capricorne 

The  samin  greis  quhare  I  first  began. 


THE  PROHEME  OF  THE  HISTORY. 

Sen  thow  art  drawin  sa  compendius, 

Era  flowand  Latine  into  vulgar  prose  ; 
Schaw  now  quhat  princis  bene  maist  vicius, 

And  quhay  hes  bene  of  chevelry  the  rose : 
Quhay  did  thair  kiiigrik  in  maist  honour  jois, 

And  with  thair  blud  our  hberteis  hes  coft ; 
Regarding  nocht  to  de  amang  thair  fois, 

Sa  that  thay  micht  in  memory  be  brocht. 

Schaw,  be  quhat  dangeir  and  difficill  wayis 

Our  antecessouris,  at  thair  uter  michtis, 
Hes  brocht  this  realme  with  honour  to  our  dayis; 

Ay  fechtand,  for  thair  hberteis  and  richtis, 
With  Romanis,  Danis,  Inghsmen,  and  Pichtis : 

As  curtas  reders  may  throw  thy  proces  ken. 
Thairfore,  thow  ganis  for  na  cative  wichtis  ; 

Allanerly,  bot  unto  nobill  men, 

And  to  sic  personis  as  covettis  for  to  heir 

The  vailyeand  dedis  of  our  progenitouris  ; 
And  how  this  cuntre,  baith  in  peace  and  weir, 

Bene  governit  unto  thir  present  houris : 
How  forcy  cheiftanis,  in  mony  bludy  stouris, 

(As  now  is  blawin  be  my  vulgar  pen,) 
Maist  vailyeandly  wan  landis  and  honouris ; 

And,  for  thair  virtew,  calUt  nobill  men. 

For  nobilnes  sum  time  the  loving  is, 

That  cumis  be  meritis  of  our  eldaris  gone. 
As  Aristotill  writis  in  his  Rethorikis, 

Amang  nobillis,  quhay  castin  thaim  repone, 
Mon  dres  thair  hfe  and  dedis  one  be  one ; 

To  mak  thaim  worthy  to  have  raemore, 
For  honour  to  than-  prince  or  nation, 

To  be  in  glore  to  thair  posterite. 


VOL.  I. 


cvi  THE  PROHEME  OF  THE  HISTORY. 

Ane  othir  kind  thair  is  of  nobilnes, 

That  cumis  be  infusion  naturall ; 
And  makis  ane  man  sa  full  of  gentilnes, 

Sa  curtes,  plesand,  and  sa  liberall, 
That  every  man  dois  him  ane  nobill  call. 

The  lion  is  sa  nobill,  as  men  tellis, 
He  cannot  rage  aganis  the  bestis  small, 

Bot  on  thaim  quhilkis  his  majeste  rebellis. 

The  awfull  churle  is  of  ane  othir  strind. 

Thoucht  he  be  borne  to  vilest  servitude, 
Thair  may  na  gentrice  sink  into  his  mind, 

To  help  his  freind  or  nichtbour  with  his  gud. 
The  bludy  wolf  is  of  the  samin  stude  : 

He  feris  gret  beistis,  and  ragis  on  the  small ; 
And  leiffis  in  slauchter,  tyranny,  and  blud, 

But  ony  mercy,  quhare  he  may  ouirthrall. 

This  man  is  born  ane  nobil,  thow  will  say, 

And  gevin  to  sleuth  and  lust  immoderat ; 
All  that  his  eldaris  wan,  he  puttis  away  ; 

And  fra  thair  virtew  is  degenerat : 
The  more  his  eldaris  fame  is  elevat, 

The  more  thair  life  to  honour  to  approche, 
Thair  fame  and  loving  ay  interminat ; 

The  more  is  ay  unto  his  vice  reproche. 

Araang  the  oist  of  Grekis,  as  we  hard, 

Two  knichtis  war,  Achilles  and  Tersete ; 
That  ane  maist  vailyeand,  this  othir  maist  coward. 

Better  is  to  be,  sayis  Juvinall  the  Poete, 
Tersetis  son,  havand  Achilles  sprete. 

With  manly  force  his  purpos  to  fulfill ; 
Than  to  be  lord  of  every  land  and  strete^ 

And  syne  maist  cowart,  cumin  of  Achill. 


THE  PROHEME  OF  THE  HISTORY.  cvii 

Man,  callit  ay  maist  nobill  creature, 

Becaus  his  life  maist  reason  dois  assay, 
Ay  sekand  honour  with  his  besy  cure, 

And  is  na  noble  quhen  honour  is  away. 
Thairfore,  he  is  maist  nobill  man,  thou  say, 

Of  all  estatis,  under  reverence, 
That  vailyeantly  doith  close  the  latter  day, 

Of  native  cuntre,  deand  in  defence. 

The  glore  of  armis  and  of  forcy  dedis, 

Quhen  thay  ar  worthy  to  be  memoriall, 
Na  les  be  wit  than  manheid  ay  procedis. 

As  Plinius  wrait  in  Story  Naturall, 
Ane  herd  of  hertis  is  more  strong  at  all, 

Havand  ane  lion  aganis  the  houndis  foure, 
Than  herd  of  lionis  arrayit  in  battall, 

Havand  ane  hert  to  be  thair  governoure. 

Quhen  fers  Achilles  was  be  Paris  slane, 

Amang  the  Grekis  began  ane  subtell  plede  ; 
Quhay  was  maist  nobill  and  prudent  capitane, 

Into  his  place  and  armour  to  succede  ; 
Quhay  couth  thaim  best  in  every  dangeir  lede, 

And  saif  thair  honour  as  he  did  afore  : 
The  vailyeant  Ajax  wan  not  for  his  manhede, 

Quhen  wise  Ulysses  bure  away  the  glore. 

Manhede  but  prudence  is  ane  fury  blind, 

And  bringis  ane  man  to  schame  and  indegence. 
Prudence  but  manhede  cumis  oft  behind, 

Howbeit  it  have  na  les  intelligence 
Of  thingis  to  cum  than  gone,  be  sapience. 

Thairfore,  quhen  wit  and  manhede  doith  concurre, 
Hie  honour  risis  with  magnificence  ; 

For  glore  to  noblis  is  ane  groundin  spurre. 


cviii  THE  PROHEME  OF  THE  HISTORY. 

Sen  thow  contenis  mo  vailyeand  men  and  wise, 

Than  evir  was  red  in  ony  buke,  but  dout ; 
Gif  ony  churle  or  velane  the  dispise, 

Bid  hence  him,  harlot :  he  is  not  of  this  rout ; 
For  heir  ar  kingis  and  mony  nobillis  stout, 

And  nane  of  thaim  pertenand  to  his  clan. 
Thou  art  so  full  of  nobilnes  per  tout, 

I  wald  nane  red  the,  bot  ane  nobill  man. 

Thus  to  all  nobillis  sen  thow  art  dedicat, 

Schaw  breifly  how,  be  my  gret  deligence, 
Ilk  story  be  the  self  is  seperat. 

To  mak  thaim  bowsome  to  thine  audience. 
Schrink  nocht,  thairfore,  bot  bide  at  thy  sentence, 

Sen  thow  art  armit  with  invincible  trewth. 
Of  gentill  reders,  take  benivolence, 

And  cure  of  otheris  na  invy  nor  rewth. 

Pas  now  to  licht,  with  all  thy  sentence  hie ; 

Groundit,  but  feid  or  assentatioun. 
In  naturall  and  morall  philosophic ; 

With  mony  grave  and  prignant  orisoun. 
Maid  to  the  reders  eruditioun, 

Be  the  renowmit  Hector  Boetius  ; 
Supportit  oft  with  Scoticronicon, 

To  make  thy  mater  more  sententius. 

Bring  nobill  dedis,  of  mony  yeris  gone, 

Als  fresche'  and  recent  to  our  memorie, 
As  thay  war  bot  into  our  dayis  done ; 

That  nobill  men  may  have  baith  laud  and  glorie, 
For  thair  excellent  brut  of  victorie. 

And  yit,  becaus  my  time  lies  bene  so  schort, 
I  think,  quhen  I  have  oportunite. 

To  ring  thair  bell  into  ane  othir  sort. 


THE  PROHEME  OF  THE  HISTORY. 

Leir  kingis  to  halt  all  peple  vitius, 

And  na  sic  personis  in  thair  hous  ressave ; 
And  suffir  na  servandis  avaritius, 

Ouir  scliarp  exactionis  on  thair  subditis  craif ; 
That  not  be  done  without  thair  honour  saif : 

Sekand  na  conques  be  unleful  wanis. 
Schaw  mony  reasonis,  how  na  king  micht  haif 

His  baronis  hartis  and  thair  geir  atanis. 

Schaw  how  the  kingis  life  and  governance, 

The  murrour  of  leving  to  his  peple  bene ; 
For  as  he  luffis,  be  his  ordinance, 

The  same  maneris  ar  with  his  peple  sene  : 
And,  thairfore,  kingis  lies  na  oppin  rene, 

To  use  all  pleseiris  as  thaim  likis  best. 
The  hiear  honour  and  office  thay  sustene, 

Thair  vice  is  ay  the  hiear  manifest. 

Schaw  now  quhat  kind  of  sovmdis  musicall 

Is  maist  semand  to  vailyeand  cheveleris  : 
As  thondran  blast  of  trumpat  bellicall, 

The  spretis  of  men  to  hardy  curage  steris  ; 
So  singing,  fidling,  and  piping,  not  efferis 

For  men  of  honour  nor  of  hie  estate, 
Becaus  it  spoutis  swete  venome  in  thair  eris. 

And  makis  thair  mindis  al  effeminate. 

Be  mony  reasonis  of  gret  experience, 

Schaw  how  na  thing  into  this  erd  may  be 
So  gud,  so  precius,  as  ane  virtuus  prince : 

Quhilk  is  so  nedefull  to  this  realme,  that  we. 
But  him,  lies  noclit  bot  deith  and  poverte. 

Schaw  how  na  gard,  nor  armour,  may  defend 
Unhappy  life  and  cursit  tyranne, 

Gif  thay  continew,  but  mischevus  end. 


ex  THE  PROHEME  OF  THE  HISTORY. 

Persuade  all  kingis,  gif  thay  have  ony  sicht 

To  lang  empire  or  honour  singulare, 
To  conques  favour  and  luf  of  every  wicht, 

And  every  wrangis  in  thair  realme  repare : 
For  quhen  thair  subditis  are  oppressit  sare, 

And  findis  na  justice  in  thair  actionis ; 
Than  risis  nois  and  rumour  populare, 

And  drawis  the  noblis  in  sindry  factionis. 

Schaw  quhat  punition,  be  reason  of  justice, 

Efferis  to  thay  unhappy  creaturis 
That  nurisis  kingis  in  corrupit  vice. 

And  schaw  quhat  truble,  quhat  vengeance,  and  injuris 
Continewaly  into  this  realme  enduris, 

Quhen  men  obscure  and  avaritius 
Hes  of  the  king  the  giding  in  thair  curis, 

And  makis  the  nobillis  to  him  odius. 

Schaw  how  gret  baronis,  for  thair  evill  obeisance, 

Aganis  thair  prince,  makand  rebellion  ; 
Dejeckit  bene  fra  thair  hie  governance. 

And  brocht  to  finall  exterminion. 
Schaw  how  na  hous  of  gret  dominion, 

Na  men  of  riches  nor  excellent  micht. 
May  lang  continew  in  this  region  ; 

Becaus  the  pepill  may  not  suffer  hicht. 

Schaw  how  of  kirkis  the  superflew  rent 

Is  ennime  to  gud  religion, 
And  makis  preistis  more  sleuthfull  than  fervent 

In  pietuus  werkis  and  devotion ; 
And  not  allanerly,  perdition 

Of  commoun  weill,  be  bullis  sumptuus, 
Bot  to  evill  prelatis  gret  occasion 

To  rage  in  lust  and  life  maist  vicius. 


THE  PROHEME  OF  THE  HISTORY.  cxi 

Schaw  how  young  knichtis  suld  be  men  of  weir, 

With  hardy  sprete  at  every  jeoperdie, 
Like  as  thair  eldaris  bene  sa  mony  yeir, 

Ay  to  defend  thair  reahne  and  hberte  ; 
That  thay  not,  be  thair  sleuth  and  cowartre, 

The  fame  and  honour  of  thair  eldaris  tine. 
Apprise  ilk  stait  into  thair  awin  degre, 

Ay  as  thay  leif  in  morall  discipline. 

Schaw  furth  ilk  king,  quhill  thow  come  to  the  prince 

That  regnis  now  in  gret  felicite : 
Quhais  anciant  blud,  be  hie  preeminence, 

Decorit  is  in  maist  excellent  gre. 
Without  compare,  of  hie  nobilite  ; 

With  giftis  mo  of  nature  to  him  gevin, 
Gif  nane  abusit  in  his  youtheid  be, 

Than  evir  was  gevin  to  noble  under  hevin. 

Thocht  thow  pas  furth,  as  bird  implume,  to  hcht, 

His  gratius  eris  to  my  werke  implore  : 
Quhare  he  may  se,  as  in  ane  raurrour  bricht, 

So  notable  story  is  baith  of  vice  and  glore, 
Quhilk  nevir  was  sene  into  his  toung  afore ; 

Quhairthrow  he  may,  be  prudent  governing, 
Als  Weill  his  honour  as  his  realme  decore, 

And  be  ane  virtuus  and  ane  noble  king. 


t  dTints* 


Ccr  ^tivtittv  follobjis  tj)t  i^istorif  mxa  CrontMis  of 

<^cotlanti»    ComptUt  anti  neiMlt?  corrtclut,  fir 

tje  i^euntntr  antJ  Nofilt  Cleritt,  iHaistrr 

^tctov  Motttf  €f)minon  of  ^fiertitnf  ♦ 

Cranslatit,  laitlg,  fie  iHaister  Slojne  33tlUnUtn, 

^vcf^t^tnt  at  iHurtai?,  C|)annxin  at  Jaus, 

^t  tje  commantj  of  t])t  ittit^t  ^it, 

2aul)t  (i^xctlUnt  ant»  HofiU  J^tincr, 

Sames,  tjr  fi  of  t]bat  name,  itins  of  ^eottis*   ^ntr 

limprentit  in  Ctrinfiursf),  fieCJomas  5f9auitr-- 

»on,  Uhjellpnfl  fornens  tje  jTtere  Mgnlr* 


%\)t  JFtrst  iSufee, 


HEIR  BEGINNIS  THE  FIRST  BUKE 


OF  THE 


CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


How  Gathelus,  our  first  progenitour,  Uft  the  land  ofGrece,  and  come 
in  Egypt,  and  maryit  Scota,  dochter  to  King  Pharo ;  and  of  Ms 
ctiming  to  Spanye. 

Fter  the  maner  of  othir  pepil,  the  Scottis,  dc- 
sirand  to  schaw  thair  beginning  richt  anciant, 
schawis  thame,  be  this  present  Historie,  dis- 
cendit  of  the  Grekis  and  Egyptianis.  For,  as 
auld  cronicHs  beris,  thair  wes  ane  Greik,  namit 
Gathelus,  sonne  of  Cecrops,  King  of  Athenes, 
__^  otherwayis  sonne  of  Argus,  King  of  Argives. 

Gathelus,  be  his  insolence,  maid  mony  heirschippis  in  Macedone 
and  Achaia,  quhilkis  war  certane  landis  of  Grece ;  and,  becaus  he 
couth  not  suffer  the  correctioun  of  freindis,  he  left  his  native  cun- 
tre  of  Grece,  and  come  in  Egypt,  with  ane  cumpany  of  siclik  young 
men,  fugitivis,  as  he  wes,  fra  thair  cuntre.  In  this  time  rang  in 
Egypt  Pharo,  the  scurge  of  the  pepil  of  Israel :  quhais  son,  foUow- 
and  his  faderis  iniquite,  wes  drownit  eftir,  with  all  his  army,  m 

VOL.   I.  A 


2  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

the  Reid  Seis,  be  punitioun  of  God.     Gathelus  wes  the  more  ple- 
sandly  resavit  in  Egypt,  that  he  apperit,  be  his  cumpany,  to  support 
King  Pharo  aganis  the  Moris  and  pepill  of  Ind;  quhilkis,  be  un- 
provisit  and  haisty  incursionis,  wastit  all  the  landis  and  townis  of 
Egypt  to  Memphis,  the  principall  ciete  of  his  realme.     Thus  had 
Pharo  sene  ane  miserabill  rewine  of  all  his  realme,  war  nocht  he 
changit  the  governance  of  the  empire  of  Egypt  be  industry  of  Moyses, 
to  quhome,  be  command  of  God,  the  army  of  Pharo  wes  committit. 
Pharo,  be  supple  of  Gathelus,  wan  ane  maist  dangerus  battall  agane 
the  Moris,  and  brocht  thame  to  sa  hie  rewine,  that  he  tuk  thair  prin- 
cipall ciete  callit  Meroy.  Gathelus,  eftir  this  happy  victory,  returnit 
in  Egypt ;  and,  becaus  he  wes  ane  lusty  persone,  Strang  of  body, 
with  greit  spreit,  he  conquest  baith  the  favour  of  the  king  and  his 
familiaris.     This  plesand  victory  generit  mair  invy  than  glore  to 
Moyses ;  for  the  Egyptianis  hatit  all  the  blud  of  Israeli :  and,  thair- 
fore,  Moyses,  knawing  the  hatrent  of  Egyptianis  persewing  him  ilk 
day  to  the  deith,  fled  out  of  Egypt  in  Inde,  to  saif  his  life.    Gathe- 
lus, for  his  victorius  and  vailyeand  dedis,  wes  maid  generall-lieute- 
nand  to  all  King  Pharois  army ;  and,  becaus  he  wes  ane  lusty  per- 
son, semely,  and  of  the  blud  riall  of  Grece,  with  prudent  ingine,  he 
gat  King  Pharois  dochter,  namit  Scota,  in  mariage,  with  part  of  thay 
landis  in  heritage  quhilk  laitlie  war  tane  be  force  of  battall  fra  the 
pepill  of  Israel.     For  thir  causis  the  Grekis  began  to  rejos,  seand 
thair  capitane  in  sic  familiarite  with  the  prince  ;  traisting  thairthrow 
sumtime  to  have  ane  sicker  dwelling-place  in  Egypt.     Schort  yeris 
eftir  Pharo  deceissit :  eftir  quhome  succedit  to  the  croun  of  Egypt 
his  Sonne,  Bochoris  Pharo,  quhilk  opprest  the  pepill  of  Israeli  with 
mair  servitude  and  tyranny  than  did  his  fader.  Apperit  thus  na  es- 
perance  of  liberie  to  the  said  pepill,  quhill  Moyses  returnit  furth  of 
Ind  in  Egypt,  to  schaw  the  command  of  God  to  this  Bochoris  Pha- 
ro, for  delivering  of  the  said  pepill  out  of  servitude.     Eftir  this, 
Egypt  wes  punist  with  uncouth  plagis,  becaus  thay  held  the  pro- 
phecy of  Moyses  in  derisioun    Thus  war  the  Egyptianis  sa  astonist, 
that  thay  inquirit  thair  Goddis  of  remeid ;  be  quhome  wes  answerit, 
the  present  plagis,  quhilkis  rang  amang  thame  for  that  time,  war  na 
thing  in  respect  of  the  terrible  and  grevous  plagis  quliilkis  war  ap- 
peirand  to  cum  haistely  on  thame.     Gathelus,  astonist  be  this  re- 


THE  FIRST  BUKE.  3 

spons,  and  seand  the  pepiU  presently  tormentit  with  sorrowful  plagis, 
tuk  ferme  purpos  to  leif  Egypt,  and  erar  to  assailye  the  chance  of 
fortoun  for  sum  uthir  dweUing,  than  to  abide  the  manifest  venge- 
ance of  Goddis ;  and,  thairfore,  maid  provisioun  of  all  thingis  ne- 
cessar  to  saling :  and  come  out  of  the  mouth  of  Nile,  with  his  wife, 
his  frendis,  and  servandis,  Grekis  and  Egyptianis,  for  feir  of  the  said 
plagis,  the  yeir  fra  the  beginning  of  the  warld,  mmm.dc.xliu.    Ef- 
tir  mekill  wilsum  travell  be  the  seis  Mediterane,  he  arrivit  in  the 
land  of  Numide ;  quhare  he  wes  stoppit  be  the  inhabitantis  to  land. 
Eftir  this  he  pulht  up  salis,  and,  be  lang  and  paneful  travell,  he  ar- 
rivit in  ane  part  of  Spanye,  caUit  than  Lusican,  quliilk  wes  eftir,  be 
his  arriving  thair,  callit  Portingall,  that  is  to  say,  the  Port  of  Ga- 
thele.     Quhay  may  surely  affirme  ane  mater  of  sa  greit  antiquite  ? 
Gathelus,  sowpit  be  lang  travell,  and  havand  na  thing  to  refresche 
his  cumpany,  landit  his  folkis,  to  seik  littallis  and  uthir  necessaris, 
to  cumfort  thaime  eftir  thair  wery  labour.     In  the  meine  time,  the 
inhabitantis  of  that  regioun  gaderit  aganis  him  with  arrayit  battal ; 
nochttheles  thay  war  discumfist,  and  put  to  flicht.     Throw  this  vic- 
tory, Gathelus  and  his  folkis  grew  in  esperance  of  gud  fortoun ; 
traisting,  eftir  sa  lang  and  wilsum  travel,  to  put  end  to  thair  la- 
bouris,  and  have  ane  stabill  and  permanent  abitUng  in  the  said  re- 
gioun.    Eftir  this  victory,  the  inhabitantis  maid  ane  band  of  peace 
with  Gathelus,  and  assignit  to  him  certane  landis,  quhair  he  suld 
have  his  dweUing  in  times  cuming.    Schort  time  eftir,  he  biggit  ane 
toun  apon  the  revair  of  Munde,  quhilk  wes  callit  that  time  Brathare, 
bot  now  it  is  caUit  Bersale.     Nochttheles,  the  inliabitantis  dredand 
that  thir  new  pepill  of  oncouth  blud  suld  incres  haistely  in  riches 
and  strenth  beside  thame,  wes  penitent  of  the  contract  be  thame 
maid ;  and,  thairfor,  be  assistance  of  thair  nichbouris,  arrayit  thame 
in  battall  aganis  Gathelus :  and  first  send  certane  armit  men  to  in- 
terrup  thair  bigginnis ;  sine  maid  thame  self  reddy  to  cum  in  the 
staill.     Gathelus,  weill  advertist  that  this  battel  movit  aganis  him 
micht  suffer  na  delay,  arrayit  his  folkis  to  meit  his  ennimes ;  exhort- 
ing thame  to  do  vailyeantly  for  thair  hvis  and  honour,  and  to  have 
sicker  esperance  of  victory,  sen  the  battell  wes  to  be  led  be  thame, 
quhilkis  war  victorius,  aganis  thair  vincust  ennimes,  quhUkis  had  na 
exercition  nor  knawlaige  of  chevalry.     The  inhabitantis  seand  thir 


4  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

strangeai'is  cum  in  batell  with  michty  curage  and  spreit,  in  ane  on- 
couth  cuntray,  dred,  gif  thay  war  vincust  in  the  said  battell,  thay 
suld  be  brocht  to  perpetuall  servitude,  and  thairfor  desiint  Gathelus 
to  ane  commoning.  In  the  quhilk  thay  gaif  to  him,  be  new  ap- 
pointment, certane  landis  in  the  north  part  of  Spanye,  calht  now  Ga- 
licia;  for  thay  had  in  prophecy,  ane  strange  pepill  suld  cum  sum- 
time  to  dwell  in  thay  boundis :  and  commandit  him  to  pas  with  his 
pepill  in  the  said  partis,  quhilkis  suld  be  brukit  be  him  but  ony  im- 
pedimentis  in  times  cuming ;  and  promittit,  gif  ony  pepill  hapnit  to 
invade  him,  to  assist  to  his  support. 


Hcna  Gathelus  beildit  the  Ciete  ofBrigance,  and  namit  all  his  Pepill 
Scottis.  How  he  send  his  tzvo  Sonnis  in  Ireland.  And  of  his  de- 
eds. 

He  band  roborat  in  maner  forsaid,  Gathelus  maid  sacri- 
fice, as  the  use  wes  in  thay  dayis,  to  his  Goddis ;  sine 
past  to  the  north  partis  of  Spanye,  and  thair,  with  amite 
confident  with  the  inhabitantis  thairof,  beildit  ane  toun 
callit  Compostella;  quhair  he,  resident  in  princely  dignite,  maid 
lawis,  to  caus  his  subdittis  to  lif  togidder  in  justice.  Eftir  this,  he 
callit  all  his  pepill  Scottis,  for  afFectioun  that  he  had  to  his  wife  callit 
Scota ;  on  quhome  he  gat  two  sonnis,  Hiber  and  Hemecus.  The 
Spanyeartis,  na  thing  rejosing  of  the  brudy  spreding  of  Scottis,  dred 
the  samin  sumtime  to  rise  to  thair  displesour :  thus  tuke  thay  ferme 
purpos  to  bring  the  Scottis  to  uter  distruction.  Gathelus,  knawing 
weil  thair  ordinance,  brocht  furth  his  pepil  array  it  in  battel.  Than 
followit  ane  richt  dangerus  and  doutsum  battel ;  bot  at  last  the  vic- 
tory succedit  to  Scottis.  Nane  of  thir  parteis  war  glaid  of  the  chance 
that  fell  be  this  battel ;  for  the  maist  forcy  and  vailyeant  capitanis 
war  slane  on  athir  side.  Thus  war  thay  constranit  on  ilk  side  to  seik 


0& 

peace ;  quhilk  wes  finalie  tretit  under  thir  conditionis :  Baith  thir 


THE  FIRST  BUKE.  5 

pepill  in  times  cuming  sal  ceis  thair  weris,  and  every  ane  of  thame 
sail  life  on  thair  awin  lawis,  and  rejos  the  samin  landis,  but  impedi- 
mentis,  quhilk  thay  possedit  afore  this  last  battel,  but  ony  further 
persecutioun.  Throw  quhilk  it  hapnit,  ane  certane  of  thair  pepill, 
be  proces  of  time,  to  be  send  efter  in  Ireland.  Sicker  peace  thus 
standing  amang  the  two  pepiU,  Gathelus,  sittand  in  his  chiar  of  mer- 
bill,  within  his  ciete  of  Brigance,  governit  his  pepill  in  justice.  This 
chiar  of  merbill  had  sic  weird,  that  it  maid  every  land,  quhair  it  wes 
found,  native  to  Scottis ;  as  thir  versis  schawls : 

The  Scottis  sail  bruke  that  realrae  as  native  ground, 
Geif  weirdis  fail!  nocht,  quhair  evir  this  chiar  is  found. 

Throw  quhilk  hapnit,  that  the  said  chiar  of  merbill  wes  eftir  brocht 
out  of  Spanye  in  Ireland ;  and  out  of  Ireland  in  thay  partis  of  Al- 
bion, quhilkis  wer  callit  eftir  Scotland.  In  this  chiar  all  kingis  of 
Scotland  war  ay  crownit,  quhil  the  time  of  King  Robert  Bruse :  in 
quhais  time,  beside  mony  othir  cruelteis  done  be  King  Edward  Lang- 
schankis,  the  said  chiar  of  merbill  wes  taikin  be  Inglismen,  and 
brocht  out  of  Scone  to  London,  and  put  in  to  Westmonistar,  quhare 
it  remanis  to  our  dayis 

Gathelus,  seand  his  pepil  incres  in  Brigance  with  mair  multitude 
than  micht  be  sufficiently  nurist,  thocht  mair  expedient  to  bring  hi.s 
pepil  to  sum  othir  part,  quhair  thay  micht  be  esely  sustenit,  than  to 
violat  his  band  of  faith ;  and,  thairfore,  be  counsal  of  prudent  men, 
he  send  exploratouris,  to  spy  gif  ony  landis  war  within  the  occeane 
see,  to  quhilkis  he  micht  bring  ane  pai't  of  his  pepill.  For  the  fame 
was,  fornens  Spanye,  to  the  north,  wes  ane  He,  inhabit  with  rude 
pepill,  havand  na  lawis  nor  maneris.  Sic  thingis  knawing  to  Ga- 
thelus, he  brocht  all  the  schippis  he  micht  get  to  the  nixt  port,  in 
quhilkis  he  put  baith  his  sonnis,  Hiber  and  Hemecus,  with  marinaris, 
weirmen,  and  othir  thingis  necessare  thairto ;  and  commandit  Jliber, 
as  admirall,  to  pas  to  the  said  He,  quhilk  is  now  callit  Irland.  Thir 
two  sonnis  of  Gathelus  puUit  up  salis,  and,  with  fortunat  windis,  ar- 
rivit,  the  fift  day  efter,  in  the  said  He.  And,  efter  that  thay  had  landit 
thair  folkis,  thay  affixit  thair  tentis  on  the  nixt  strenthis.  The  rude 
pepil  of  this  He,  astonist  be  cuming  of  thir  weirmen,  fled,  with  thair 
bestial  and  guddis,  to  thair  cavernis.    Hiber,  eftir  his  cuming,  send 


6  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

certane  armit  men  to  se  quhat  pepill  inhabit  this  He.  The  weirmen 
tjuhilkis  war  send  for  this  effect,  hapnit  to  cum  apon  the  said  pepill, 
fleand,  as  said  is,  with  thair  guddis ;  and,  be  aventiire,  ane  part  of 
thaim  slew,  and  otheris  brocht  as  prisoneris  to  thair  admirall.  Hi- 
ber,  knawing  be  sindry  signis  the  land  plentuous,  commandit,  gif  the 
pepil  wald  be  plesandly  subdewit,  that  na  forthir  invasion  be  maid 
on  thaim.  The  pepil  seand  him  mercifull,  randrit  thair  self  and 
thair  guddis ;  and  he  ressavit  thaim  with  sic  benivolence,  that  he 
sufferit  thame  to  incres  with  his  pepil  under  ane  name  and  lawis ; 
and  left  his  broder  to  governe  thaim  be  his  autorite  and  justice. 

Sic  thingis  done,  he  maid  sacrifice  in  the  honour  of  his  Goddis, 
to  send  felicite  to  his  pepill :  sine  returnit  in  Spanye,  levand  behind 
him  ane  Strang  garison,  with  wiffis  and  barnis,  to  inhabit  this  land, 
and  to  keip  the  same  under  obeysance  of  his  broder  Hemecus.  Hi- 
ber,  at  his  returning  in  Spanye,  fand  his  fader  Gathelus  deceissit. 
Eftir  quhais  deith  he  wes  maid  king ;  and  began  to  eik  the  boundis 
of  his  empire ;  and  wan  sindry  townis  fra  the  Spanyeartis :  havand 
with  him  at  all  timis  ane  Strang  gard  of  men ;  be  quhais  pissance  and 
chevalry  he  dantit  the  pepill  on  sic  maner,  that  he  wes  haldin  in  gret 
estimatioun  and  reverence  amang  the  said  pepill.  Thus  war  thay 
constranit  to  seik  his  peace. 

Efter  this  last  band  of  peace,  the  Scottis  grew  in  Spanye,  quhilk 
wes  namit  than  Hiberia,  fra  Hiber,  with  sic  amite,  that  baith  the 
pepill  grew  under  ane  name  and  blude,  with  sic  tender  and  freindly 
benevolence,  that,  but  ony  memoree  of  auld  injuris,  ilk  man  set  him 
to  defend  his  nichbour  as  his  brothir  or  fader,  baith  in  weir  and 
peace.  Of  this  Hiber  discendit,  be  lang  progressioun,  ane  gret  po&- 
terite,  efter  him  linealy  succeding ;  amang  quhom  wer  mony  nobill 
and  famous  princis,  as  Metellius,  Hermoneus,  Ptolomeus,  Hibertus, 
and  Symon  Brek. 


THE  FIRST  BUKE. 


Cj&a)?.  CBttti. 


How  Hemecus  govemit  Irland ;  and,  how  Symon  BreJc  wes  maid 
King  eftir  Ms  deitli. 

Uhill  sic  thingis  war  done  in  Spanye,  Hemecus,  quhilk 


Hj^^ri    wes  left,  as  said  is,  be  his  brother  Hiber  in  Ireland,  go- 
|1  Q  11    vernit  the  same  in  gret  felicite,  and  namit  the  samin  Hi- 
~^^    hernia,  fra  Hiber,  quhilk  is  calht  in  our  langage,  Ire- 


*and.     This  He  wes  inhabit  in  thay  dayis  be  two  pepill :  the  Scottis ; 
and  the  auld  inhabitantis  of  it,  quhilkis  war  gottin,  as  sum  auctouns 
sayis,  be  giandis.     Hemecus  govemit  baith  thir  pepiU  in  gret  jus- 
tice, havand  na  les  respect  to  the  seissoun,  as  the  time  occurrit,  than 
to  the  maneris  of  the  pepill  undir  his  obeysance ;  knawing  well,  na 
thing  micht  bring  the  pepill  sonar  under  ane  freindschip  and  band 
than  sic  doingis :  and  yit  he  micht  nevir  bring  thaim  to  that  effect. 
Schort  time  eftir,  Hemecus  deceissit.     Eftir  quhais  deth  rais  ane 
odious  debait,  quha  suld  be  governour;  every  natioun  contending 
to  have  the  lord  of  thair  awin  blude.     Quhill  at  the  last  thay  creat 
two  governouris :  betwix  quhom  rais  continuall  battall  and  slauchtu- 
on  athir  side,  throw  ambitioun  and  birnand  desire  to  be  governour 
of  the  said  He.  Efter  lang  battaUis,  thir  two  pepill,  brokin  with  sin- 
dry  displesouris,  war  constranit   to  tak  peace:   howbeit  the  same 
schort  time  indurit ;  ilk  ane  of  thaim  persewing  othir  with  battal. 
And  yit  thay  dwelt  mony  yeris  togiddir  be  interchange  of  weir  and 
peace.     Quhill  at  last  the  Scottis,  brokin  ilk  day  with  mair  injuris, 
send  thair  ambassatouris  to  Metellius,  quhilk  wes  that  time  regnand 
above  the  Scottis  in  Spanye ;  desiring,  be  thair  lamentabill  regrait,  to 
have  support  aganis  the  auld  inhabitantis  of  Ireland ;  and  schawand 
thame  ane  wild  pepill,  impacient  to  suffir  oncouth  empire  above 
thame ;  throw  quhilk  the  Scottis  micht  have  na  tranquilite,  without 
the  said  pepill  wer  mair  haistelie  dantit.     The  message  of  Scottis 
was  the  mair  acceptabill  to  Metellius,  that  it  concernit  the  commoun- 
weil  baith  of  the  Scottis  of  Spanye  and  Ireland,  discending,  be  lang 


8  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

progression  of  a  linage  and  blud.  King  Metellius  nocht  refusit  thair 
desiris ;  traisting  the  samin  to  succeid  na  les  to  the  honour  and  glore 
of  himself,  than  to  the  profFet  of  his  freindis :  and,  thairfore,  send 
his  thre  sonnis,  Hermoneus,  Ptolomeus,  and  Hibert,  with  ane  army 
of  vailyeant  men  in  Ireland ;  quhair  thay,  with  richt  dangerus  bat- 
tal,  vincust  the  auld  inliabitantis  of  the  said  He.  Sic  thingis  done 
in  Ireland,  Hermoneus,  the  eldest  brodir,  returnit  in  Spanye ;  levand 
behind  him  his  two  brethir,  Ptolomeus  and  Hibert,  quhilkis  governit 
the  pepill  of  that  land  mony  yeris  eftir  in  gret  tranquillite  and  jus- 
tice, and  maid  la\ns  effering  to  the  rite  of  thay  dayis,  and  instruk- 
kit  the  preistis  to  mak  sens  and  sacrifice  to  the  Goddis,  on  the  same 
maner  as  the  Egyptianis  usit.  Thus  incressit  the  pepill  mony  yeris 
eftir  in  gret  felicite  and  riches.  Bot,  as  the  natiu-e  of  men  is,  ouir 
greit  prosperite  engeneris  evil  maneris,  and  causis  men  to  wirk  fre- 
quent displesouris  on  thaimself,  quhen  thay  find  na  ennimes  to  in- 
vaid  thaim  at  hame ;  thir  pepil,  eftir  lang  peace,  war  devidit  in  two 
opinionis,  contending  for  the  governance  and  administratioun  of  this 
realme.  Thir  two  partis  had  all  uterlie  distroit  othir,  war  not  thay 
war  reconseld  togiddir  be  ane  nobill  man  namit  Thanaus,  principal 
man  undir  the  king ;  quhilk  wes  send  afore  as  ambassatour  to  the 
said  He,  rejosing  of  the  felicite  succeding  to  his  frendis,  to  caus 
thaim,  be  his  prudent  consultation,  to  incres  togidder  under  a  mind. 
This  Thanaus,  be  his  honest  behavingis,  was  haldin  amang  thaim 
of  gret  prudence,  havand  bot  newtrall  affection  to  baith  the  partyis  ; 
and  persuadit  thaim,  at  thair  conventioun,  to  remove  all  contentionis 
rising  amang  thaim,  and  to  cheis  ane,  quhom  thay  thocht  maist  ex- 
pedient, to  be  thair  king,  and  be  obeysant  to  him  in  all  thair  gover- 
nance ;  for  na  thing  micht  be  in  erd  sa  gud  as  ane  gud  king.  Throw 
this  persuasioun,  the  pepill  tuk  sic  fervent  desire  to  have  ane  king, 
that,  all  injuris  beand  reparit,  thay  commandit  Thanaus  to  cheis  him 
king  quhom  he  thocht  maist  expedient.  Than  said  Thanaus,  "  I 
"  knaw  your  mindis  sa  devidit  in  sindry  factionis,  that  na  man  that 
"  is  participant  thairwith  may  be  esaly  your  king.  And,  sen  your 
"  mindis  is  to  have  ane  newtral  person  to  regne  above  you,  thair  is 
"  now  in  Spanye  ane  nobill  man,  of  gret  severite  and  justice,  namit 
"  Symon  Brek,  weill  accustomit  with  your  lawis,  and  linealy  cuming 
"  of  ^letellius,  your  ancient  progenitour;  quhais  sonnis  sumtime 


THE  FIRST  BUKE.  9 

"  nocht  only  supportit  you  quhan  maist  danger  occurrit,  bot  gover- 
"  nit  you  mony  yeris  efter,  in  gret  tranquillite  and  justice ;  qulaais 
"  posterite  yit  remanis  amang  you  in  maist  honouris.  I  think  this 
"  Synion  maist  abill  to  be  your  king."  The  partyis,  herand  the  name 
of  Symon  Brek,  war  glad  to  have  him  king,  becaus  that  name  wes 
haldin  richt  fortunat  in  thay  dayis.  And,  but  ony  lang  tary,  thay 
send  thair  ambassatouris  in  Spanye,  to  caus  this  Symon  to  cum  in 
Ireland,  to  ressave  the  crown  thairof.  Symon  knawdng,  be  degest 
avisement,  the  entent  of  thir  ambassatouris,  providit  ane  flote  of 
schippis ;  and,  finaly,  be  prosper  windis,  arrivit  in  Ireland,  quhair 
he  wes  solemply  ressavit,  and  cro^mit  in  the  chiar  of  merbill,  quliilk 
wes  brocht  out  of  Spanve  as  maist  riche  jowell  in  thay  dayis. 

Svmon  wes  the  first  king  that  rang  above  the  Scottis  in  Ireland, 
fra  the  beginning  of  the  warld,  mmmm.d.iv  yeris;  fra  the  flude  of 
Nov,  MM.cc.viii ;  fra  the  beginning  of  Rome,  lx  yeris ;  fra  the  em- 
pire of  Brutus  in  Albion,  cccc.lxxii  yeris;  before  the  incarnatioun 
of  God,  DC.xcv  yeris.  This  Symon  governit  Ireland  in  gret  pros- 
perite,  be  counsel  namely  of  Thanaus ;  to  quhome  he  gaif  sindry 
landis,  hand  in  the  south  partis  of  Ireland,  beside  the  rivere  of  Bir- 
sus,  quhilkis  landis  ar  now  calht  Dowdale ;  quhair  the  said  Thanaus 
dwelt  efter,  with  the  pepill  that  he  brocht  with  him  out  of  Brigance, 
the  famous  ciete  of  Spanye.  Thir  pepill  war  callit  Brigandis ;  of 
quhome  efter,  be  proces  of  time,  discendit  mony  nobill  and  vailyeant 
men,  quhilkis  come  efter  vriih  Fergus,  the  first  King  of  Scottis,  in 
Albioun :  be  quhome  all  thay  landis  of  Scotland,  quhilkis  ar  now 
calht  Gallowav,  wes  calht  Brigance ;  quhais  inhabitantis  war  fundin 
ay  full  of  manheid,  and  strangest  ennimes  to  Romanis  and  Britonis, 
as  we  sail  efter  heir. 

This  Symon  governit  Ireland  in  gud  felicite,  and  deceissit,  the 
fourty  yeir  of  his  regne. 


VOL.   I. 


10  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND 


Of  the  gret  Posterite  qfScottis  regnand  hi  Irelatid  efter  Symo)i 
Bixh.  Of  the  first  cuming  of  Scotth  and  Pichtis  in  Albion  ; 
and  hoxc  the  Pichtis  icar  alliat  xcith  the  Scottis. 

YiAiox  deceissit,  as  said  is,  his  sonne  Faiiduf  wes  maid 
king-.  Efter  him,  succedit  Ethione.  Efter  Ethione,  suc- 
cedit  Glaucus.  Efter  Glaucus,  succedit  Nathasyll.  Efter 
^^J^^^J^  Nathasyll,  succedit  Rothesay.  This  Rothesay  Aves  the 
first  king  that  send  ony  Scottis  in  the  His  of  Albion.  The  first  He 
that  he  inhabit,  he  caUit  it  Rothesay,  fra  his  name.  The  remanent 
His  wer  callit  Hebredes,  fra  Hiber,  the  eldest  sonne  of  Gathelus. 
This  Rothesay  herand  the  deth  of  his  fader,  Nathasyll,  returnit  in 
Ireland ;  quhair  he,  be  generall  vocis  of  the  pepill,  wes  maid  king. 
The  yeir  that  Scottis  wer  brocht  out  of  Ireland  in  Albion,  was 
fra  the  empire  of  Symon  Brek  in  Ireland,  cc.xvi  yeris ;  fra  the  be- 
ginning of  the  warld,  mmmm.dc.xvii  yeris.  The  Scottis  cuming  out 
of  Ireland  in  this  maner,  spred  in  sindry  Ihs  of  Albion,  liand  to  the 
gret  north  thairof,  and  devidit  thaim  in  sindry  tribis.  The  first  He 
that  thay  tuk  possessioun  of,  as  the  Croniklis  schawls,  wes  namit 
Ardgaell,  fra  Gathelus ;  quhilk  now,  be  corruptioun  of  langaige,  is 
callit  Ardgyle.  The  Scottis,  devidit  be  this  maner  in  sindry  tribis, 
chesit  certane  capitanis  to  every  tribe,  to  governe  thaim  baith  in  time 
of  weir  and  peace ;  havand  the  name  of  thair  capitane  in  sic  reve- 
rence, that  quha  sa  evir  tuke  the  samin  in  vane  war  na  les  punist 
than  thay  had  manesworne  thair  Goddis :  attour  that  thay  maid  in- 
vocation thairto,  quhen  maist  irubill  occurrit ;  as  sum  divinite  war 
in  the  samin,  to  preserve  thaim  fra  all  danger.  This  consuetude 
perseverit,  monv  veris  efter,  in  the  His. 

Nocht  lang  efter,  a  banist  pepill,  namit  Pichtis,  come  furth  of  Den- 
mark, to  serche  ane  dwelling  place ;  and,  efter  that  thay  war  inhibit 
to  land  baith  in  France,  Britane,  and  Ireland,  thay  landit  in  Al- 
bion.    Sum  authouris  sayis,  thay  come  first  in  Orknay  ;  and,  sone 


THE  FIRST  BUKE.  11 

efter,  in  Cathues,  Ros,  Murray,  Mernis,  An^us,  Fiffe,  and  Lou- 
thiane  :  and  expellit  all  the  pepill,  that  inhabit  that  region  afore  thair 
cuming.  Thir  pepill  war  callit  Pichtis,  outhir  for  thair  semely  per- 
sonis,  or  ellis  for  the  variant  colour  of  thair  clething ;  or  ellis  thay 
war  namit  Pichtis,  fra  the  Pichtis  namit  Agathirsanis,  thair  anciant 
faderis.  In  probation  heirof,  Orknay  wes  calht  the  auld  realme  of 
Pichtis.  Siclike,  tlie  seeis  betwix  Cathnes  and  Orknay  war  namit 
Pentland  Firth ;  and  all  the  landis,  quhilkis  ar  now  callit  Louthiane, 
war  callit  than  Pentland.  Sum  authouris  sayis,  thir  Pichtis  wer  the 
residew  of  Hunnis,  banist  be  Flemingis ;  and  come  first  in  Britane 
to  seik  ane  dwelling,  quhair  thay,  be  sorrowfull  battall,  lost  H umber, 
thair  king,  be  Lotrine  and  Camber,  sonnis  of  Brutus,  quhilk  began 
the  empire  of  Britane.  This  opinion  is  plesant,  war  nocht  the  dait 
of  yeris  is  descordant  to  the  history  ;  for  Brutus,  and  his  sonnis,  war 
mony  yeris  afore  thair  cuming  in  Albion.  Of  thir  Pichtis  writis 
mony  auld  and  recent  authouris,  to  quhom  applaudis  Cornelius 
Tacitus,  in  the  Life  of  the  Romane  Agricola;  quliare  he  naiiiis 
the  Scottis  cuming  of  Spanyeartis,  and  the  Pichtis,  of  Almanis. 
Of  quhatsumever  natioun  thay  ben  discendit,  treuth  is,  efter  thaii- 
cuming  in  Albion,  thay  war  ane  civill  pepil,  richt  ingenious  and 
crafty  baith  in  weir  and  peace.  Sone  efter  thair  cuming  in  Albion, 
quhilk  wes  fra  the  beginning  of  the  warld,  mmmm.dccc.lxvii  yeris, 
thay  creat  ane  king  to  governe  thaim  in  justice,  and  began  to  niaik 
policy  in  bigging  of  munitionis,  townis,  and  castellis.  And,  becaus 
thay  knew  al  pepil  but  successioun  abill  to  perische,  thay  send  thair 
ambassatouris  to  the  Scottis,  desiring  to  haA^e  thair  dochteris  in  ma- 
riage :  and  schew,  thocht  thay  war  of  oncouth  blude,  tliay  suld  noclit 
be  vilependit,  sen  thay,  with  na  les  prudence  than  manheid,  hes  ouir- 
set  incredibill  dangeris  baith  be  see  and  land ;  and  now  laitly  con- 
quest, throw  benevolence  of  the  Goddis,  richt  plentuous  landis,  with 
sic  peace  and  tranquillite,  that  nane  othir  pepill  may  clanie  thaim  be 
reason :  confiding  surely,  gif  the  Goddis  support  thaim,  be  thair 
awin  industry,  to  be  equall  to  ony  thair  nichtbouris  baith  in  peace 
and  weir.  Forthir,  gif  the  Scottis  condiscendit  to  thair  honorabill 
desiris,  it  micht  fall,  the  two  pepill  incres  togidder  sa  Strang  under 
ane  blude,  that  thay  micht  the  better  resist  the  fury  of  ennimes, 
quhen  evir  it  hapnit  thaim  to  be  invadit. 


1'^  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

Tliis  legatioun  wes  unplesand,  for  the  first  time,  to  Scottis,  think- 
and  unworthy  to  have  ony  societe  or  manage  with  ane  uncouth  and 
banist  pepill;  yit,  be  degest  avisement,  thay  fand  thair  commoun 
weil  wes  noeht  rising  to  sic  pissance,  that  thay  micht  resist  the  Bri- 
tonis,  quhilkis  hatit  thaim  sen  thair  first  beginning.  Heirfor,  to 
augment  thair  commoun  weill,  and  to  maik  thaim  the  more  Strang 
aganis  the  Britonis,  thay  wer  profovmdly  resolvit  to  have  ahance 
with  the  Pichtis,  and  to  gif  thair  dochteris  in  mariage,  undir  thir 
condicionis :  Ilk  ane  of  thaim  sail  rejose,  in  time  cuming,  all  thay 
landis  quhilkis  thay  rejosit  afore  the  mariage.  And  to  concurre  to- 
gidder  ^vith  thair  hale  pissance,  als  oft  as  thay  Avar  invadit  be  enni- 
mes.  He  that  maid  offence  to  ony  ane  of  thaim,  sail  be  reput  as  en- 
nimy  to  thaim  baith ;  and,  als  oft  as  the  croun  of  Pichtis  come  in 
pley,  the  king  to  be  chosen  of  the  nerrest  of  the  womannis  blude. 
Thir  condicionis  plesand  in  all  sidis,  the  Scottis  gaif  thair  douchteris 
in  mainage  to  the  Pichtis. 


C&ap*  JFtftfj* 

Hoiv  the  Britonis,  he  thair  quent  slichtts,  dissolvit  the  band  of  alli- 
ance betwix  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis.  Of  the  truhill  that  fell  thair- 
throw. 

He  Britonis  tuk  na  litil  suspitioun  of  this  mariage, 
dredand  gif  thir  two  pepill  incressit  togiddir  under  ane 
blude,  to  be  sa  Strang  in  schort  time,  that  nothir  micht 
[i]  the  said  Britonis  for  the  time  present,  nor  thair  poste- 
ritc,  be  sufficient  to  resist  the  pissance  of  thir  two  pepill ;  and,  thair- 
for,  tuke  purpos  to  distroy  thaim  baith,  and  to  invade  thaim  erar 
with  fraudefull  slichtis,  than  ony  force  of  battall.  And,  to  bring 
thair  purpos  to  effect,  thay  devisit  to  rais  sic  seditioun  betwix  thir 
two  pepill,  that  ilk  ane  of  thaim  sail  invade  othir  with  battall ;  and 
fra  that  ane  war  cleirly  distroyit,  this  othir,  brokin  with  the  same 
weiris,  micht  be  the  more  facil  pray  to  thaim.     Yit,  to  covir  thair 


THE  FIRST  BUKE.  13 

slichtis  more  secretly,  thay  supersedit  thair  intention  for  thre  yeris, 
to  avise  gif  proces  of  time  micht  gif  ony  better  occasioun  to  move 
battall.  The  same  time,  be  affinite  afore  contrackit,  the  Pichtis 
multiplyit  with  ane  brudy  successioun  :  quhairthrow  the  two  pepil 
grew  in  equal  benevolence ;  the  Pichtis  gevand  thair  industry  to  po- 
lecy  and  labour  of  thair  handis,  and  settand  thair  ingine  to  beilde 
munitiounis  and  townis  for  defence  and  agmentation  of  thair  com- 
moun  weil ;  the  Scottis  exerceing  thaim  in  craft  of  hunting,  balking, 
and  nurising  of  thair  bestiall ;  havand  na  othir  riches  bot  it  only 
that  grew  be  thair  store ;  and  war  daily  clothit  in  haberjone  of  mailye, 
■Vv'ith  bow  and  arrowis,  in  ithand  exercition ;  als  reddy,  at  all  times, 
to  defend  thair  livis,  landis,  and  liberteis,  as  thair  ennimes  war  to 
invaid  thaim  in  set  battal. 

In  the  menetime  the  Britonis  send  thair  ambassatouris  to  the 
Pichtis :  havand  gret  wounder  quhy  thay  preferrit  the  Scottis  to 
thaim ;  sen  thay  war  ane  pepil  full  of  riches  and  glore ;  quhais  fa- 
mous chevalry  wes  knawin  in  France,  Almany,  and  othir  sindry  re- 
gionis  be  seeis  and  landis;  havand  ane  riche  realme,  repleit  of  all 
minis  of  mettall,  sa  plentuous  of  every  frutis  necessar  to  the  use  of 
man,  that  thay  micht  do  hie  pleseir  to  thair  nichtbouris,  als  weill  in 
weir  as  peace.  Be  contrar,  the  Scottis  war  ane  ondantit  pepill ;  ha- 
vand rude  and  wild  maneris,  but  ony  humanite ;  confiding  mair  in 
thair  fuliche  audacite,  than  ony  prowes  or  vertew;  and  dwelling 
amang  strait  and  barrant  montanis,  and  rejosing  in  na  thing  sa  me- 
kill  as  in  murdir  of  men  and  beistis.  Attour  thay  had  be  prophecy, 
that  the  Pichtis  suld  be  exterminat  and  uterly  distroyit  be  Scottis, 
without  thay  socht  the  more  haisty  remeid.  For  thir  causis,  desirit 
thaim  to  mak  ane  new  band  of  confideracioun  with  Britonis,  to  that 
fine,  the  Scottis  may  be  outhir  expellit  out  of  Albion,  or  ellis  brocht 
to  uter  distruction ;  be  quhilkis  doingis,  thay  micht  have  incredibill 
commodite,  rejosing  baith  thair  realmes  but  ony  feir,  in  times  cum- 
ing.  And,  to  gif  thaim  the  more  provocatioun  to  attempt  this  be- 
sines,  thay  promittit  to  support  thaim  with  men,  money,  and  vitallis, 
at  thair  pleseir. 

This  message  had  the  more  credit,  that  the  Pichtis  had  afore  ane 
vehement  suspitioun,  that  the  brudy  spreding  of  Scottis  suld  sum 
time  fall  to  hie  dammage  of  thair  posterite :  als  na  thing  micht  have 


14  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

causit  tliaini  mair  to  move  battall  aganis  the  Scottis,  than  the  re- 
sponsis  of  thair  Goddis,  conciirrand  to  thair  awin  suspition.  At 
last  the  Pichtis,  be  lang  consviltatioun,  answerit,  thay  contrackit  af- 
finite  with  the  Scottis  mair  of  necessite  than  ony  hartly  frendschip ; 
quhais  conuippit  manneris  war  richt  unplesand  to  thaim.  Nocht- 
theles,  sic  oportunite  may  cum,  be  proces  of  time,  that  thay  micht 
have  sufficient  occasion  to  move  weir  aganis  the  Scottis,  as  tliay  de- 
sirit :  for  na  thing  micht  be  sa  acceptabill  to  thaim  as  the  amite  and 
fallowschip  of  Britonis ;  providing  klwayis,  the  said  Britonis  maid 
thaim  sufficient  help,  quhen  time  requirit,  aganis  the  ScottivS.  Sic 
besines  done,  as  occurrit  for  that  time,  the  ambassatouris  war  dis- 
peschit. 

Schort  time  eftir,  the  Pichtis,  seikand  occasioun  to  move  battall 
aganis  the  Scottis,  commandit,  be  general  edict,  na  Scottis  to  be 
found  within  ony  townis  or  landis  of  Pichtis,  efter  ane  prefixit  day, 
under  pane  of  deth.  The  Pichtis,  efter  that  this  day  wes  ouir  past, 
slew  all  Scottis  that  war  found  within  thair  townis,  munitionis,  and 
roumes,  as  brekaris  of  thair  lawis.  The  Scottis,  richt  unpacient  to 
sustene  sa  hie  injuris,  ceissit  not  quhill  thay  had  slane  als  mony  of 
the  Pichtis  as  wer  afore  slane  of  Scottis.  Incontinent,  be  liaisty 
trubil  rising  in  this  maner,  wes  sa  lamentable  murdir  on  athir  side, 
that  ilk  ane  of  thame  slew  othir  at  thair  recountering,  regarding  no- 
thir  affinite,  blude,  time,  nor  place. 


THE  FIRST  BUKE.  15 


Hozv  the  PicMis  and  Scottis  maid  thair  ordinarice  to  invade  ot/iir  be 
hattell  Hoic  Ferqnhard,  King  of  Irland,  send  his  sonne  Fergus, 
xciiti  ane  army,  in  support  of  Scottis  agwiis  the  Ptchtis ;  and. 
How  the  said  Fergus  'wes  maid  King. 

N  this  maner  the  peace  dissolvit,  the  Pichtis  denuncit 
battell  to  Scottis :  efter  quhilk  followit  continual  incur- 
sionis  on  athir  side.  Attour,  that  every  thing  suld  be 
u^^^^a  done  erar  be  consultatioun  than  be  inmoderat  hatrent, 
■he  Pichtis  providit  al  thingis  necessar  for  battell ;  in  quhat  wise,  and 
be  quhat  capitanis  it  suld  be  led ;  quhidder  thay  suld  abide  the  cum- 
ing  of  thair  enimes,  or  invade  thame  within  thair  awin  rounns. 

The  same  time,  the  Scottis  convenit  in  Argyle;  quhau-  the  capi- 
tanes  war  devidit  in  sindi'y  opinionis  concerning  this  battell.     Sum, 
accusing  the  tresonable  slichtis  of  Pichtis,  desirit  to  pas  on  thame 
haistely,  as  wrangus  and  manesworne  pepiU,  brekaris  of  than-  faith, 
quhais  injure  wes  sa  importabill,  it  micht  suffir  na  delay.     Otheris 
thocht  expedient,  sen  the  mater  wes  wechty,  to  invade  thair  enmmes 
with  hid  shchtis  and  gud  ordour.     In  the  mene  time,  rais  up  ane 
agit  man,  and  said  in  this  maner :  "  I  knaw  weill,  my  hartly  frendis, 
"  this  injure  of  Pichtis  is  sa  intollerabill  and  odius,  that  we  suld 
"  rusche  haistely  to  harnes  to  revenge  the  same.     Nochttheles,  all 
"  besines  bene  weill  done  that  procedis  be  gud  avisement.   And,  sen 
"  ire  avahs  nocht  but  strenth,  knaw  weill,  this  battell  that  ye  intende 
"  to  move,  sail  be  na  les  aganis  the  Britonis  than  Pichtis ;  howbeit 
"  ye  have  nocht  that  craft  of  chevelry  nor  pissance  to  resist  thame 
"  baith.     For  thir  causis,  I  thinke  na  besines  sa  profitable,  as  to 
"  send  ambassatouris  to  our  aunciant  progenitouris  of  Ireland,  to 
"  have  thair  support  in  this  maist  dangerus  cais.    Forther,  sen  plu- 
"  ralite  of  capitanis,  as  oft  occurris,  rasis  seditioun,  best  is  to  chese 
"  ane  amang  us  to  have  empire  above  the  laif ;  under  quhais  coun- 
"  sel  we  saU  fecht  for  our  livis  and  liberteis,  aganis  ane  fals  and 


16  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

"  manesworne  pepil,  quliilk  lies  invadit  us  but  ony  occasioun  of  in- 
"  juris."     This  last  opinioun  wes  maist  apprisit. 

The  Scottis  sone  efter  send  thair  ambassatouris  in  Ireland,  com- 
plenand  the  wickit  offence  done  be  Pichtis,  and  desiring  support. 
Ferquhard,  quhilk  wes  that  time  King  of  Scottis  in  Ireland,  sore 
niovit,  for  displesure  done  to  his  frendis  the  Scottis  in  Albion,  send 
his  Sonne  Fergus,  ane  wise  and  vailyeant  prince,  to  thair  support ; 
and,  to  give  thame  the  more  esperance  of  permanent  and  sonse  weird, 
he  send  with  thame  the  fatale  chiar  of  marbill.  Fergus  wes  the  more 
plesandly  ressavit  be  the  Scottis,  that  thair  commoun  weil  wes  ap- 
prochand  to  hie  dangear  be  ane  maist  perellus  battall.  Efter  his 
cuming,  ane  counsel]  wes  set  in  Argyle,  in  the  quhilk  Fergus  said 
in  this  wise :  "  Maist  vailyeant  pepill,  ye  se  ane  cumpany  of  nobill 
"  men,  as  ye  desirit,  cuming  in  this  your  regioun  to  resist  the  fury 
"  of  ennimes.  The  faderis  are  sa  reuthfull  to  thair  childrin,  that 
"  nane  offence  may  be  done  to  thair  said  childrin,  bot  the  same  re- 
"  turnis  to  thair  dishonour  and  schame.  We  ar  dettit  to  you  as  fa- 
"  deris  to  thair  childrin ;  schaw  you  thairfor  oure  childrin,  as  we 
"  sail  schaw  us  your  faderis.  Lat  ane  injure  be  commoun  to  us 
"  baith,  sen  we  ar  conjunit  togidder  in  blud  and  amite ;  that  glore 
"  and  honour  may  redound  to  us,  and  proffite  unto  you.  Yit  ane 
"  thing  bene  necessar  to  avise;  quhidder  the  empire  of  ane  or  of 
"  mony  be  mair  proffitabill  for  your  commoun  weill .''  And  quhilk 
"  of  thame  ye  think  maist  profitabill  sail  be  plesand  to  us,  sen  we, 
"  be  favoure  and  benevolence  of  Goddis,  ar  happely  arrivit  in  your 
"  regioun,  and  cuming  only  for  your  singulare  weill  and  support."* 

The  counsel,  efter  this  orison  of  Fergus,  thocht  pluralite  of  capi- 
tanis  unproffitabill ;  and,  thairfore,  be  degest  consultatioun,  condis- 
cendit  to  be  governit  be  empire  of  ane  king ;  and  this  king  to  have 
empire  on  thame  als  weill  in  peace,  as  in  every  trubil  appering  aganis 
thair  ennimes.  Attour,  to  remove  all  suspitioun  of  hatrent,  becaus 
ilk  tribe  desirit  ane  king  of  thair  awin  linnage,  thay  chesit  Fergus, 
baith  for  his  nobill  blude,  and  othir  his  excellent  virtuous,  to  be 
thau-  king ;  attour  he  wes  sa  provin  in  manheid  and  justice,  that  na 
capitane  of  the  tribis  micht  be  comparit  to  him.  Fergus,  chosin  king 
in  this  maner,  wes  crownit  in  the  fatale  chiar  of  merbil,  quhilk  he 
brocht  with  him,  be  respons  of  Goddis,  to  stabill  his  realme  in  Al- 


THE  FIRST  BUKE.  17 

bion ;  and  wes  the  first  king  that  rang  above  the  Scottis  in  that  re- 
gioun :  fra  the  beginning  of  the  warld,  mmmm.dccc.lxix  yeris ;  afore 
the  incamatioun  of  God,  ccc.xxx  yeris ;  fra  the  beginning  of  Rome, 
cccc.xx  3^eris;  fra  the  impire  of  Brutis  in  Britane,  dccc.xxxvii 
yeris. 


How  King  Fergus  come,  with  gret  ordinance,  aganis  the  Pichtis. 
How  the  dessait  of  Britcmis  wes  discover  it  baiih  to  Scottis  and 
Pichtis.  And  of  the  orison  maid  be  Fergus  to  the  King  of 
Pichtis. 

He  Scottis  rising  on  this  maner,  as  we  have  schawin,  in 
Albioun,  King  Fergus  gave  his  hole  mind  and  attend- 
ance to  resist  the  injure  of  this  battall,  movit  be  the 
Pichtis ;  and,  efter  that  he  had  calht  all  the  capitanis 
afore  him,  he  commandit  every  ane  of  thame  to  be  reddy  to  pas  with 
him,  with  careage  hors,  of  fourty  dayis  vitallis :  and,  becaus  he  knew 
na  thing  mair  odius  than  seditioun  amang  weirmen,  he  maid  afald 
concord  amang  his  pepill,  and  commandit  thame  to  be  obeysant  to 
thair  capitanis,  with  sic  ordour  that  none  of  thame  waver  fra  thair 
fallois,  in  aventure  thay  fall  as  pray  to  thair  ennimes.  Sic  thingis 
done,  he  maid  sacrifice  in  the  honoure  of  his  Goddis,  according  to 
the  use  that  wes  in  thay  dayis;  praying  the  Goddis,  to  take  ven- 
geance of  the  party  that  gaif  first  oceasioun  of  battall  aganis  othir ; 
and  to  grant  him  sic  felicite  in  his  just  defence,  that  victory  may 
succede  to  him  but  hevy  dammage  of  his  pepill. 

Quhill  the  Scottis  war  at  thair  besines,  the  Pichtis  assemblit  ane 
army,  with  na  litill  gareson  of  Britonis  concurrant  to  thair  support. 
Apperit,  on  athir  side,  ane  wickit  and  unnaturall  bergane  betwix  two 
pepil,  freindis  and  cieteyouris,  faderis  and  sonnis.  The  Pichtis  come 
first  in  the  Scottis  landis :  aganis  quhome,  with  na  les  curage  than 
manheid,  went  Fergus,  with  anciant  armis  displayit  in  forme  of 

VOL.  I.  c 


18  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

baner  ;  in  quhilk  wes  ane  reid  lioun,  ranipand  in  ane  feild  of  gold, 
with  thunderand  steir,  awfully  dingand  his  bak,  as  is  the  gise  of  the 
gentill  lioun,  quhen  he  enforsis  him  to  wraith.  Fergus  wes  the  first 
that  bure  thir  armis  in  Albion;  and,  efter  him,  thay  Avar  ay  the 
amies  of  all  kingis  discending  of  his  linnaige,  to  our  dayis. 

Quhill  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  wer  arrayit  in  otheris  sicht,  the  army 
of  Britonis  sti^de  arrayit  on  cbeich,  nocht  far  fra  thame,  devisand  be 
quhat  slichtis  thay  micht  distroy  thame  baith ;  with  ferme  purpos, 
qulien  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  wer  jonit  togidder,  and  the  tane  of 
thame  discomfist,  than  the  party  victorius  suld  finaly  be  distroyit  be 
thair  fresche  army  :  and  quhen  thir  two  pepill  war  distrojdt  be  this 
slicht,  the  Britonis  micht  rejose  baith  thair  realmes  in  Albion,  but 
ony  feir,  in  times  cuming.  This  subtel  slicht  wes  discoverit  to  Fer- 
gus be  ane  banist  Briton.  Throw  quhilk  it  hapnit,  that  baith  the 
armyis,  movit  na  les  be  feir  of  ennimes  than  be  thair  awin  propir 
dammage,  supersedit  battall  certane  dayis. 

In  the  meine  tnne,  King  Fergus  desirit  ane  commoning  with  the 
King  of  Pichtis,  apon  hie  materis,  concerning  na  les  the  weill  of 
Pichtis  than  of  Scottis.  The  King  of  Pichtis  refusit  nocht  the  com- 
moning, and  met  King  Fergus  with  ane  few  cumpany  of  his  nobillis ; 
the  oistis  standing  on  ilk  side,  arrayit.  Than  said  Fergus  in  this 
maner :  "  Of  times  riche  townis,  and  pepill  contending  for  the  supe- 
"  riorite,  lies  brocht  thaimself  to  miserabill  rewine,  and  thair  enni- 
"  mes  to  hie  commoditeis ;  quhilk  thingis  sail  nocht  faill  to  cum  on 
"  us,  gif  we  happin  to  fecht  this  day.  The  occasion  of  battell,  quhilk 
"  ye  movit  first  aganis  us,  desu'is  nocht  at  this  time  to  be  discussit, 
"  lauchfull  or  injust ;  howbeit,  the  Scottis  lies  sustenit  of  your  pe- 
"  pill  importabill  injuris  but  ony  redres.  Yit,  gif  it  be  leful  erar  to 
"  schaw  the  verite  than  ony  flurisand  wourdis,  the  desu'e  of  king- 
"  doiune,  and  slicht  of  Britonis,  lies  movit  you  to  battall.  Ye  wald 
"  nevir  have  invadit  us,  your  faderis,  war  nocht  the  Britonis,  oure 
"  commoun  ennimes,  lies  devisit  the  same,  be  quent  slichtis,  to  baith 
'-'  our  mischeiffis.  And  quhidder  thir  thingis  be  trew  or  fals  ye  may 
"  best  discus ;  howbeit  na  reasone  may  perswaid  me  to  beleif  ony 
"  otliir,  bot  this  battall  sal  cum,  gif  we  continew,  to  the  irrecover- 
"  able  dammage  of  us  baith.  Gif  we  fecht,  quha  doubtis  bot  vic- 
"  tory  sail  be  uncertane  ?  for  we  ar  of  equal  pissance.    Suppone  we 


THE  FIRST  BUKE.  19 

"  be  vincust,  quhilk  may  nocht  succeid  but  undemus  murdir  of  you, 
"  than  sail  ye  be  ane  facill  pray  to  your  enninies ;  bringand  thaini 
"  to  triumphe  and  honour,  and  yourself  to  misire  and  servitude. 
"  Quhat  thing  may  be  more  odius,  or  more  detestabDl,  than  the 
"  sonnis  to  invade  thair  faderis  ?  We  ar  faderis ;  ye,  our  sonnis : 
"  your  sonnis  ar  our  nepotis :  and,  quhidder  we  be  vincust  or  vic- 
"  torious,  ye  sail  defoull  yourself  with  maist  terribill  offence  aganis 
"  the  Goddis.  Heirfor,  lat  us  commoun  of  peace,  as  nichtbouris  and 
"  freindis  alliat  togidder ;  and  consider  quhat  infinite  dammage  this 
"  battall  sail  do  to  us,  and  quhat  commodite  to  our  commoun  enni- 
"  mes.  And  gif  ony  injure  be  done  be  Scottis  to  yovu'  pepill,  it  sail 
"  be  redressit  be  me ;  to  that  fine,  that  we,  quhilkis  ar  of  ane  proxi- 
"  mite  and  blude,  may  evade  the  quent  slichtis  devisit  be  Britonis 
"  to  baith  our  dammage,  and  invade  our  ennimes  with  the  samin 
"  tressoun  that  thay  devisit  for  us ;  that  reason  and  justice  may  seme 
"  mail*  pissant  amang  us,  than  hatrent  or  invy :  for,  I  beleif,  na 
"  othir  way  is  sa  souir  to  stabiU  our  pepill  in  this  He  of  Albion." 


Ofsindry  consultationis  maid  he  Pichtis ;  and  how  thay  war  re- 
counseld  with  the  Scottis. 

He  King  of  Pichtis  answerit  to  thir  wordis  of  Fergus, 
that  he  micht  nocht,  be  his  private  autorite,  dissolve 
tliingis  done  be  publik  counsell  of  his  nobillis.  This 
battall,  that  he  movit,  wes  decernit  be  publik,  and  nocht 
be  private  counsell :  nochtheles,  he  wald  glaidly  avise  with  his  no- 
billis, quhidder  thay  wald  half  weir  or  peace ;  and  sal  convene  to 
the  same  place,  with  thair  mind. 

Als  sone  as  baith  the  kingis  returnit  to  thair  tentis,  the  King  of 
Pichtis  rehersit  the  wourdis  of  Fergus  afore  his  counsell,  and  schew 
how  the  same  day  behuvit  thaim  nocht  only  to  have  fochtin  aganis 
the  Scottis,  bot  aganis  the  tressoun  of  Britonis ;  and,  to  verify  his 
entent,  he  brocht  certane  Britonis  in  testimonial!  thairof :  attour  the 


20  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

inoportune  sollicitation  of  Britonis,  desiring  battal  aganis  Scottis, 
maid  the  slicht  more  credibill  to  Pichtis.  The  Pichtis,  arising  un- 
prudently  in  this  mater,  Avar  devidit  in  two  opinionis.  Sum  allegit, 
the  amite  of  Scottis  wes  to  be  refusit ;  for  thay  have  persewit  the 
Pichtis  with  sa  mony  slauchteris  reiffis,  the  same  may  nocht  be  dew- 
ly  redressit.  Heirfor,  all  thair  alliance,  all  thair  condicionis  and 
peace,  aucht  to  be  contemnit;  for  sic  thingis  may  nocht  indure, 
quhare  reif,  injure,  and  hatrent,  ar  moreestemit,  than  faith,  reason, 
and  justice.  Otheris  said,  the  amite  of  Scottis  wes  baith  honest  and 
necessare ;  becaus  thay  did  monj^  pleseiris  afor  to  Pichtis,  and  mo- 
vit  na  battall  quhil  thay  war  first  injurit.  And,  sen  the  Britonis  war 
conuiion  ennmies  baith  to  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  force  is  to  thaim  to 
be  reconseld,  or  ellis  to  be  schamefully  doung  out  of  Albion.  At- 
tour  the  affinite  and  blude  rising  betwix  thaim  suld  put  end  to  thair 
weris ;  sen  na  thing  is  more  detestabill  to  the  Goddis,  nor  abhomi- 
nabil  to  mortal  creaturis,  than  thay  pepil  to  move  battall  aganis  othir, 
quhilkis  ar  alliat  under  ane  commixtioun  of  blude.  Thairfor  ap- 
perit  na  thing  sa  gud  to  Pichtis  as  to  have  freindschip  of  Scottis ; 
ies  than  thay  purposit,  to  rendir  falset,  hatrent,  and  evil  dedis,  for 
faith,  luf,  and  gud  thankis.  Eftir  that  mony  of  the  Pichtis  war  ge- 
vin  to  peace,  ane  of  the  Pichtis,  ennemy  to  Scottis?,  becaus  his  bro- 
der  wes  slane  in  this  last  battall,  said  on  this  wise :  "  How  is  this 
"  blind  contentioun  rising  amang  vou,  maist  vailyeant  men  ?  Have 
"  ye  nocht  sufficient  experience  of  the  falset  and  cruelte  of  Scottis  r 
"  Delite  ye  ony  forther  to  assailye,  gif  ony  band  may  be  kepit  with 
"  unfaithfull  pepill,  full  of  fers  ingine  and  cruelte,  borne  to  our  uter 
"  mischeif.''  Beleif  ye  the  respons  of  our  Goddis  be  vane  .^  Svdd 
"  we  nuris  this  pestilencius  vennome,  to  the  finall  perdicioun  baith 
"  of  us  and  our  realme  ?  This  bludy  and  tressonabill  pepill,  gif  our 
"  Goddis  schawls  the  verite,  sail  nocht  fail  to  rais  amang  us  ane 
"  flame  that  sail  nevir  be  sloknit.""  To  this  Avickit  man  answerit  ane 
othir  Picht,  and  said,  "  Ye  suld  nocht  be  movit  be  the  respons  of 
"  Goddis :  for  gif  thay  be  of  determit  verite,  tha}'  vaay  nocht  be 
*'  eschewit ;  gif  thay  be  fals,  thay  suld  nocht  be  dred.  Heirfor  all 
"  injuris,  done  be  ony  slicht  and  tressoun  of  athir  partyis,  suld  be  re- 
"  movit :  and,  to  saif  oure  honestie,  lat  nevir  oure  aith  and  band  be 
"  brokin  in  oure  defalt ;  becaus  we  have  sufficient  experience  in  our 


THE  FIRST  BUKE.  21 

"  dayis,  quhat  notabill  vengeance  bene  takin  apon  mony  nobil  and 
"  vailyeant  campionis,  quhen  thay  had  nocht  thair  faith  nor  Goddis 
"  in  reverence.  Lat  us  returne  to  the  band  of  Scottis,  sen  the  same 
"  mav  nothir  be  dissolvit  but  offence  of  Goddis,  nor  yit  but  incre- 
"  dibill  schame  ;  sa  that  we  may  persevere  in  kindnes,  but  offence 
"  othir  to  the  immortall  Goddis,  or  our  tender  freindis :  als  nature, 
"  the  moder  of  everv  thing,  constranis  us  to  luffe  our  faderis,  for 
"  thay  luffe  our  barnis,  thair  nepotis.  It  is  nocht  necessar,  thair- 
"  for,  to  have  ony  battal ;  bot  erar  to  luffe  our  freindis,  that  we  be 
"  nocht  in  derisioun  to  our  ennimes."  Als  sone  as  thir  Avordis  war 
said,  the  wiffis  of  Pichtis,  quhilkis  followit  the  army  for  luffe  of  thair 
husbandis,  fell  on  kneis,  with  ruthfull  teris,  praying  thair  husbandis 
to  violat  nocht  thaimself  with  schameful  slauchter  of  thair  faderis : 
"  It  is  better  to  us  and  our  barnis,*"  said  thay,  "  to  de  ony  maner 
"  of  deith,  than  to  se  our  faderis  and  husbandis  sla3^and  othir,  Avith 
"  cruell  wondis."  The  Pichtis,  movit  sum  part  be  luffe  of  thair 
wiffis  and  barnis,  sum  part  be  reverence  of  thair  Goddis,  condiscen- 
dit  to  have  peace  vath  the  Scottis,  under  thir  conditionis :  ^Redres 
maid  on  ilk  side.  The  Britonis,  quhilkis  wer  movaris  of  this  battall, 
sail  be  haldin  ennimes  to  baith  the  pepil.  All  othir  chargis  to  be  at 
the  pleseir  of  the  two  kingis,  quhidder  thay  list  to  strength  peace 
under  the  auld  conditionis  or  new  ;  and,  gif  thir  conditionis  war  nocht 
sufficient  to  roborat  the  peace,  Avith  quhat  othir  conditionis  the  two 
princis  thocht  maist  ganand.  Sone  eftir,  ane  day  Avas  set  to  renewe 
the  peace.  The  Britonis,  quhilkis  come  in  support  of  Pichtis, 
heirand  this  concord,  returnit  hamc,  dredand  the  samin  to  succede, 
to  thair  litill  proffet.  On  the  day  affixit,  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  war 
agreit  on  al  debatis,  efter  the  tenour  of  the  auld  band,  Anth  thir  ncAv 
conditionis :  Ilk  ane  of  thu'  tAvo  pepil  sal  leif  content  of  thair  aAAnn 
rowmes ;  supporting  othir,  als  weiU  in  honour  as  in  profit,  quhen 
hie  and  difficil  chargis  occurris,  aganis  thair  ennimes.  The  injuris 
done  to  ony  ane  of  thaim,  sal  be  reput  commoun  to  thaim  baith ; 
and,  quhen  it  was  necessar  to  thaim  to  fecht  aganis  thair  ennimes, 
baith  the  pepill  sail  convene  togidder  under  ane  mind  and  ordinance. 
The  peace  beand  roborat  in  this  maner,  baith  the  kingis  returnit 
hame. 


22  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


Hoxo  Coyll,  King  of  Britonis,  was  slane,  and  his  Army  discoinjist 
be  Scottis  and  Pichtis. 

Oyll,  King  of  Britonis,  herand  at  York,  the  Scottis 
and  Pichtis  confiderat  in  maner  foresaid,  was  richt  sor- 
rowfull ;  for  he  dred  thir  two  pepil  to  incres  sum  time 
to  his  hie  displeseir.  Astonist  heirof,  and  nocht  knaw_ 
nig  be  quhat  ingine  he  micht  distroy  thaim  baith,  for  his  shchtis 
afore  come  to  htill  effect;  he  tuke  ferme  purpos  to  have  experience, 
gif  the  Scottis,  quhome  he  held  for  ane  vagabound  and  banist  pe- 
pill,  of  uncouth  blude,  Strang  in  murdir  of  bestis,  durst  fecht  aganis 
his  pepill,  full  of  glore  and  chevalry.  Yit  he  supersedit  this  mater 
for  two  yeris,  to  s^  gif  ony  proud  insolence  micht  gener  new  divisioun 
amang  thaim,  quhairthrow  he  micht  find  sum  better  occasioun  to 
nivaid  thaim  be  battall;  for  he  understude  na  sickir  tranquillite 
nor  peace  micht  be  had  amang  his  pepill,  during  the  fallowschip  of 
Scottis  and  Pichtis  under  ane  concord  and  blude.  Heirfor,  to  rais 
sum  occasioun  of  battal  betwix  thir  two  pepil  he  send  ane  cumpany 
of  Britonis,  in  few  nowmer,  to  invade  the  bordouris  of  Pichtis  with 
frequent  heirschippis ;  and  quhen  the  same,  be  reason  of  trewis,  was 
desirit  be  Pichtis  to  be  reparit,  the  Britonis  schew  thaim  nevir  ac- 
custumate  with  sic  corruppit  dedis  of  thift ;  and  said,  the  same  wes 
done  be  Scottis  allanerly.  At  last  the  ground  of  this  sHcht  was  so 
serchit  and  brocht  to  licht,  that  the  same  was  provin  cleirly  on  the 
Britonis;  throw  quhilk  the  two  confiderat  pepill  tuke  sik  hatrent 
aganis  the  said  Britonis,  that,  efter  incredibill  slauchter  of  thair  pe- 
pil, thay  invadit  thair  realme,  and  brocht  ane  multitude  of  bestial  1 
out  of  the  saniin. 

King  Coyll,  impacient  to  suffer  this  outraige,  maid  him  to  wirk 
that  thing  be  force  of  armes,  quhilk  he  micht  not  do  afore  be  slicht 
of  ingine :  and  assemblit  sone  efter  ane  huge  nowmer  of  pepil,  with 
gret  ordinance  of  battall ;  and  entrit  at  the  west  bordouris  of  Scot- 


THE  FIRST  BUKE.  23 

land,  and  affixit  his  tentis  on  the  river  of  Dune ;  invading  the  countre 
with  continuall  heirschippis,  fire,  and  slauchter.  Fergus,  weill  ad- 
vertist  of  thair  doingis,  commandit  the  bestiall  and  guddis  to  be 
drevin  to  the  montanis;  and,  with  thaini,  commandit  the  wiffis, 
barnis,  and  othir  febill  creatouris,  to  pas  to  the  strenthis  of  the  said 
montanis,  to  eschew  the  fury  of  ennimes.  Sic  thingis  done,  be  com- 
mandit, be  general  proclamationis,  al  fensabil  men  to  be  reddy,  in 
thair  best  avise,  to  resist  thair  ennimes.  Howbeit  he  desirit  na  thing 
mair  than  to  prolong  the  battal ;  that,  be  lang  tary  and  penurite  of 
vittalhs,  his  ennimes  micht  be  wery  and  irkit. 

In  the  mene  time,  ane  Scot  tresonabilly  fled  to  King  Coyll,  and 
discoverit  to  him  every  thing  devisit  be  King  Fergus.  Incontinent, 
King  Coyll  send  dm  Britonis  to  take  the  said  pray  of  bestiall  fra  the 
montanis ;  and  that  he  micht,  be  untraist  suddante,  the  moi'e  cruelte 
exerce,  he  maid  his  army  reddy  to  invade  the  Scottis  on  the  nixt 
morrow.  Sic  thingis  schawin  to  Scottis  and  Pichtis  be  thair  scur- 
riouris,  apperit  na  litill  affray  in  thair  army.  Than  Fergus  tuke 
consultatioun  of  his  nobillis  quhat  was  best  to  be  done.  Mony  of 
thaim,  astonist  be  multitude  and  curage  of  Britonis,  dissentit  to  bat- 
tall.  Utheris  exhortit  him  thairto ;  saying,  thay  war  ane  sufficient 
army,  and  determit  to  fecht  for  defence  of  thair  Aviffis,  barnis,  and 
Uberteis,  to  the  deith,  sa  that  he  wald  assist  to  thaim.  Attour  it 
wes  na  les  necessar  than  honorabill  to  assailye  the  chance  of  battall ; 
for  victory  is  gottin  erar  be  manheid  and  prudence,  than  ony  mul- 
titude of  pepill.  Efter  divers  opinionis,  it  was  concludit,  that  Fer- 
gus, with  his  folkis,  at  the  first  vigill,  sail  set  on  the  wache  of  Bri- 
tonis ;  and  the  King  of  Pichtis,  with  his  folkis,  sal  pas  ouir  the  wai- 
ter of  Dune,  quhare  the  army  of  Britonis  lay,  to  cum  haistely  on 
thair  bakkis,  als  sone  as  thay  heir  the  nois  ryis  be  Scottis.  Sic 
thingis  done  with  manheid  and  prudence,  to  submit  the  residew  to 
the  chance  of  fortoun. 

The  samin  nicht,  Fergus,  as  was  devisit,  slew,  be  gret  jeoperdy, 
the  wache  of  Britonis ;  and  nocht  only  braik  thair  trinschis,  bot  en- 
terit  fersly  within  thair  tentis,  afore  King  Coyll  was  advertist  of  his 
cuming.  Incontinent  rais  ane  terribill  clamour  amang  the  Britonis, 
fast  raschand  to  harnes,  to  resist  this  haisty  effray ;  quhen  suddanly 
the  Pichtis  come  on  tliair  backis,  suspekand  na  thing  les  than  sic  ir- 


24  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

ruptioun  of  ennimes.  The  Britonis,  nocht  weill  walkinit  of  thair 
sleip,  war  invadit  on  al  sidis,  and  discomfist  or  thay  micht  cum  to 
array ;  amang  quhome  King  Coyll,  unwarly  kepit  be  his  nobilUs, 
was  slane.  In  memory  heirof,  the  place  quhare  he  was  slane  was 
namit  efter  Coyll ;  quhilk  regioun  remanis  yit  under  the  same  name, 
or,  litill  different  thairfra,  calht  now  Kyle. 


Of  King  Fergus  orison  to  his  Nohillis ;  and  how  the  Croun  of  Scot- 
land icas  tailyet  to  him  and  his  successouris. 

Fter  this  victory,  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  with  display  it 
baner,  convenit  on  ane  litill  mote.  The  residew  of  Bri- 
tonis, quhilkis  war  eschapit  fra  this  battall,  be  thair  fle- 
ing  under  nicht,  herand  thair  king  slane,  and  thair  ar- 
my  discomfist,  send  ane  herald  to  desire  peace.  The  Scottis  and 
Pichtis,  more  insolent  efter  this  victory  than  afore,  rebutit  the  Bri- 
tonis, and  denyit  peace :  nochttheles  the  two  kingis,  quhilkis  knew 
Weill  the  gret  pissance  of  Britonis,  condiscendit  to  thair  peticionis. 
Quhen  the  pray  and  spulye  of  this  battall  was  equaly  devidit  amang 
the  two  pepil,  effering  to  thair  manheid  and  prowes,  the  two  kingis 
returnit  hame. 

Sone  efter,  Fergus  convenit  his  nobillis  in  Argyle,  and  said  in  this 
wise :  "  Ye  se,  maist  vailyeant  campionis,  how  ye,  be  speciall  favour 
"  of  Goddis,  hes  vincust  your  ennimes,  and  brocht  your  landis,  be 
"  wisdome  and  manheid,  to  sickir  peace;  and,  thocht  ye  war  un- 
"  equale  baith  in  nowmer  and  pissance,  yit  the  Goddis  hes  bene  sa 
"  propiciant,  that  ye  have  vincust  the  ennimes  quhome  ye  maist 
"  dred  in  this  erd.  Ye  have  put  down  your  noisum  ennime,  with 
"  al  his  army,  and  ar  richit  with  thair  spulye.  Thay  that  contem- 
"  nit  you  afore,  as  febill,  banist,  and  unarmit  pepill,  hes  reuthfully 
"  desirit  your  peace,  niair  necessar  than  honest  to  thaim ;  to  be  ane 
"  notabil  exampill  in  timis  cuming,  how  unsicker  is  to  confide  in  ony 
"  vane  pissance  of  man.     We  knaw  weill,  how  riche,  how  pissant 


1 

E 

1 

THE  FIRST  BUKE.  25 

"  ar  the  Britonis  baith  be  see  and  land :  and  the  more  riche  thay  ar, 
"  the  more  schame  redoundis  to  thaim,  and  the  more  glore  to  us ; 
"  sen  thay  ar  vincust  be  us,  quhome  thay  held  maist  vile  and  febill. 
"  We  have  usit  our  victory  but  ony  cruelteis.  We  have  vincust 
"  our  ire,  to  that  fine,  that  the  Goddis,  quhilkis  hes  gevin  us  sa  proud 
"  victory,  sail  nocht  find,  be  our  perverst  insolence,  ony  occasion  to 
"  bring  us  sum  othir  time  in  derisioun  of  ennimes;  sen  we  nocht 
"  exercit  our  hatrent  on  thir  discomfist  Britonis,  fleing  oure  fury  be 
"  dirknes  of  nicht,  bot  sufferit  thaim  to  depart  with  our  mercy  and 
"  peace.  Thus  may  we  evidently  se,  that  our  wiffis,  barnis,  hber- 
"  teis,  and  landis,  quhilkis  our  ennimes  intendit  to  have  bereft  us, 
"  ar  saiffit  allanerly  be  favour  of  Goddis.  Restis  now  to  avise,  be 
"  prudent  consultation,  how  we  may  eschew  all  dangier  appering 
"  in  times  cuming.  Quhilkis  thingis  sail  succede  the  better,  gif  we 
"  have  the  Goddis  in  reverence ;  kepand  our  band  to  Pichtis  and 
"  Britonis  as  we  promittit;  continewing  the  realmein  the  samin  go- 
"  vernance  as  ye  devisit  at  our  first  cuming:  providing  allwayis, 
"  that  we  remove  seditioun,  scurrilite,  and  avaricius  leving,  with 
"  sic  thingis  as  may  induce  hatrent  amang  you.  Forthir,  to  maik 
"  ilk  persone  leif  on  his  awin,  it  war  best  to  part  all  the  landis  of 
"  this  regioun  be  generall  consent ;  swa  that  every  ane  of  us,  con- 
"  tent  of  his  awin,  may  have  na  occasioun  to  injure  his  nichtbour; 
"  for  sic  thingis  sail  caus  us  to  incres  in  glore  and  honour  to  oure 
"  freindis,  and  dredour  to  our  fay  is.  And  wald  God  I  micht  se  you, 
"  my  deir  pepill,  rising  in  sic  vertew  afore  my  deid,  that  I  micht, 
"  with  sickir  esperance,  schaw  to  your  eldaris  the  weil  appering  to 
"  thair  posterite." 

Quhen  Fergus  had  endit  this  orisoun,  the  pepill  schew  thaim  red- 
dy  to  fulfill  his  desire ;  and  nevir  to  be  governit,  in  times  cuming,  bot 
be  the  empire  of  ane  king ;  and  nane  to  regne  above  thaim  bot  King 
Fergus  blude :  and,  failyeing  thairof,  prayit  the  Goddis  to  send  na 
les  vengeance  on  thaim,  and  thair  posterite,  than  fel  sum  time  on 
thaim  in  Egypt  and  Spanye,  for  transgressioun  of  the  command  of 
Goddis.  King  Fergus  gat  charter  and  evidence  of  the  crown  of 
Scotland  to  him  and  his  successouris  in  this  sort ;  quhUkis  charteris 
war  gravin  in  merbill,  with  imagis  of  beistis  in  forme  of  letteris,  as 

VOL.  I.  D 


26  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

was  usit  in  thay  dayis ;  sine  gaif  the  samin  to  maist  religious  preistis, 
to  be  observit  in  thair  tempiliis. 


How  King  Fergus  partit  the  Landis  of  Scotland  amang  the  Nohillis 
of  his  Realme.     And  of  the  Manei'is  of  Brigandis. 

Chort  time  efter,  quhen  the  Scottis  had  refreschit  thaim 
with  hunting  and  othir  exercitionis,  King  Fergus  con- 
venit  his  nobillis,  and  said  in  this  maner :  "  Now  is  the 
"  time,  maist  prudent  faderis*,  sen  our  realme  is  stablit 
in  gud  peace,  to  part  the  landis  of  this  realme,  quilk  ye  rejose  now 
"  but  ordour,  amang  you,  and  otheris  that  come  with  me  out  of  Ire- 
"  land  in  this  regioun.  To  do  this  more  plesandly,  ar  to  be  chosin 
"  VII  newtrall  men  amang  us ;  quhilkis  sail  devide  this  realme  with 
"  sic  reasone  and  prudence,  that  quhare  the  landis  ar  maist  plentu- 
"  ous,  sal  be  gevin  the  les ;  and  quhare  the  samin  ar  barrant,  to  be 
"  gevin  the  more." 

The  pepil,  well  applesit  of  this  counsell,  chesit  sevin  prudent  men ; 
quhilkis  considerit  the  boundis  of  Scotland,  and  devidit  the  samin, 
with  marchis  equally  refering  thairto.  Thir  prudent  men  returnit, 
the  fourt  moneth  efter,  to  Argyle,  quhare  King  Fergus  was  resident 
for  the  time :  in  quhais  presence  all  the  landis  of  Scotland  war  cas- 
sin  in  cavill  amang  the  nobillis  thairof.  Be  the  first  cavill,  fell  to 
Cornath,  capitane,  and  his  tribe,  the  landis  of  Cathnes,  hand  fornens 
Orknay,  betwix  Dummisbe  and  the  watter  of  Thane.  Secundly,  to 
Capitane  Lutork,  fell  the  landis  betwix  the  watter  of  Thane  and  Nes, 
callit  now  Ros.  This  Lutork  come  with  ane  band  of  vailyeant  men 
out  of  Ireland  with  King  Fergus  in  Albion.  This  land  of  Ros  lyis, 
in  breid,  fra  Cromarte  to  the  mouth  of  the  watter  of  Lochte;  In 
this  countre  was  the  famous  castel  of  Urquhart ;  of  quhilk  the  rewin- 
ous  wallis  remanis  yit,  in  gret  admiratioun  of  pepill.  Thridly,  to 
Capitane  Warroch,  fell  the  landis  hand  betAvix  Spay  and  Nes,  fra 
the  Almane  to  the  Ireland  seis.     The  pepil  of  this  land  war  callit 


THE  FIRST  BUKE.  27 

Wares,  be  name  of  thair  capitane ;  bot,  sone  efter,  thay  war  sa  se- 
dicious.  that  thay  Avar  doung  out  of  that  countre,  and  the  Murrayis 
brocht  in  thair  roumis ;  be  quhom  the  landis  war  calUt  Murray  land. 
Be  the  nixt  cavil,  fell  to  Capitane  Thalis,  the  landis  of  Boyne,  Ainye, 
Bogewall,  Gariot,  Formartine,  and  Bowquhan.  Thir  landis  war 
calht  than  undir  ane  name,  Thalia,  be  name  of  thair  capitane.  Be 
the  nixt  cavil,  fell  to  Capitane  Martach,  all  the  landis  of  Marre, 
Badeyenoch,  and  Lochquhaber.  Be  the  vi  cavil,  fell  to  Capitane 
Nouance,  the  landis  of  Lome  and  Kyntier,  with  the  hilhs  and  mon- 
tanis  thairof,  hand  fra  Marre  to  the  Ireland  seis.  Be  the  vii  cavill, 
fell  to  Atholus,  the  landis  of  Athole ;  for  he  was  discendit  of  the 
Scottis  of  Spanye,  and  come  out  of  Spanye  in  Ireland,  and  out  of 
Ireland  he  come  with  Fergus  in  Scotland ;  ane  vailyeant  man,  and 
Weill  provin  in  fatis  of  armis.  Be  the  viii  cavill,  fel  to  Creones  and 
Epidithis,  two  capitanis  of  tribis,  the  landis  of  Strabraun  and  Braid- 
awane,  hand  west  fra  Dunkeld.  Be  the  nint  cavill,  fell  to  Capitane 
ArgatheluSj  the  landis  of  Argyle.  His  folkis  war  namit  Argathelis, 
fra  Gathelus,  thair  first  progenitour ;  bot  now  thay  ar  callit,  Men  of 
Argyle.  Be  the  x  caAnll,  fel  to  Capitane  Lolgonas,  the  landis  of 
Linnox  and  Clidisdail.  Be  the  xi  cavill,  fell  to  Capitane  Silurch, 
the  landis  of  Siluria ;  quhilk  regioun  is  now  devidit  in  Kyle,  Car- 
rik,  and  Cuninghame,  quhais  pepill  war  richt  engenius  and  fers. 
Be  the  xii  cavill,  fell  to  the  Brigandis,  the  landis  of  Brigance,  now 
callit  Galloway. 

Thir  Brigandis  war  ane  vailyeant  pepill ;  and  war  devisit  thairfor 
to  dwell  neir  the  Britonis,  to  resist  thair  incursionis,  gif  ony  occur- 
rit.  Ane  certane  of  thir  Brigandis  wes  banist  efter  for  thair  se- 
ditionis  fechting;  quhilkis  confiderat  thaim  with  ane  cumpany 
of  Pichtis,  outrageous  and  wickit  limmeris  as  thay  war,  and  inha- 
bit thay  landis  quhilkis  ar  now  callit  Annandale,  and  put  the  Bri- 
tonis out  of  the  same :  quhais  posterite  grew  sa  full  of  fury,  that 
thay  invadit  thair  nichtbouris  with  all  maner  of  cruelteis.  The  we- 
men  past  with  thair  husbandis  to  battall,  and  faucht  mair  cruelly 
than  did  the  men;  havand  na  mercy  quhare  thay  war  victorius. 
Thay  eschamit  to  be  takin  in  battall ;  and  rejosit  to  de  fechtand. 
Quhen  thay  saw  thair  freindis  vexit  with  lang  and  irrecoverabill  ma- 
lideis,  that  thay  sail  nocht  de  in  thair  bed,  thay  slew  thaim  be  the 


28  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

swerd.  This  land  of  Annandale  hes  ane  strait  entres,  and  circulit 
on  every  side  outhir  with  seis,  mossis,  or  sinkaiid  sandis;  throw 
quhais  difficill  enteres  hapnit,  that  the  inhabitantis  thairof  dwelt  in 
cavernis,  levand  on  thair  incursionis  and  thift ;  regarding  nouthir  the 
empire  of  Scottis,  Pichtis,  nor  Britonis ;  and  had  continual  wachis, 
als  weil  be  nicht  as  day.  Als  sone  as  thay  Avar  advertist  of  ony  in- 
vasouris,  thay  drew  thaim  pertly  to  thair  wappinnis ;  on  sic  maner, 
that  quha  abstenit,  or  cowartly  absentit  thaim,  quhen  sic  chargis 
occurrit,  Avas  efter  slane  be  thair  wiffis  at  thair  returning.  Thay  that 
sufFerit  thaimself  to  be  taikin  as  prisoneris,  Avar  haldin  ay  sklavis  to 
thair  Aviffis,  quhill  thay,  be  sum  honest  wassalege,  recoverit  thair  ho- 
nour. Thair  AA-iffis  Avar  commoun ;  the  barne  wes  haldin  his  son,  to 
quliome  he  Avas  maist  like  in  vissage. 

Al  othir  boundis  of  Scotland  Avar  than  in  the  Pichtis  handis ;  as 
the  Meirnis,  Angus,  Steremond,  GoAvry,  Stratherne,  Perth,  FifFe, 
Striveling,  Callender,  Calderwod,  Louthiane,  Mers,  Tevedale,  with 
othir  the  remanent  dailis,  and  the  Scherefdome  of  Berwik. 


How  King  Fergus  maid  concord  hetwix  the  Princis  of  Ireland;  and 
Jiow  he  perist,  returnand  be  the  Ireland  Seis. 

Uhen  Fergus  had  devidit  the  landis  of  Scotland  in  this 
maner,  and  brocht  the  same  to  sicker  peace,  he  tuke 
ferme  purpos  to  nuris  his  pepill  in  gud  maneris :  and, 
to  do  all  thingis  the  better,  he  began  at  justice ;  but 
quhilk  na  pepill  may  leif  togidder.  He  maid  sic  lawis  to  punis  theft 
and  slauchter,  that  all  the  bestiall  and  gudis  of  Scotland  war  saiffit 
in  the  feildis  but  ony  trubill  Efter  this,  he  beildit  the  castel  of 
Berigone  in  Lochquhaber.  This  castell  standis  in  the  Avest  part  of 
Scotland,  foment  the  His;  quhare  he  exercit  his  laAvis  to  that  fine, 
that  his  pepil  micht  be  drawin  thair  the  more  esaly,  for  exercitioun 
of  justice.  He  past  the  remanent  of  his  dayis  in  tranquillite  and 
peace  A\dth  his  nichtbouris,  the  Britonis  and  Pichtis ;  gevand  his  in- 


THE  FIRST  BUKE.  29 

gine,  to  caus  his  pepill  incres  togidder  under  ane  benevolence  and 
concord.  Quhill,  at  last,  he  was  chosm  ane  juge-arbitrall,  to  discus 
certane  hie  debates  falling  amang  his  freindis  of  Ireland. 

Sone  efter,  the  said  Fergus,  accumpanyit  Anth  ane  certane  of  his 
nobillis,  past  in  Ireland,  and  pacifyit  thaim  of  all  debattis.  This 
wes  the  last  act  he  did;  for,  efter  the  agreance,  this  nobill  prince, 
returning  hame  throw  the  Ireland  seis,  be  ane  wickit  tempest  was 
drevin  apon  ane  crag;  quhare  he  perist,  with  all  his  nobillis,  the 
XXV  yere  of  his  regne.  In  quhais  memory,  the  crag,  quhare  he  pe- 
rist, is  namit  yit  Crag  Fergus. 

In  his  time  rang  Esdaill,  King  of  Britonis :  and  Cruthneus  Ca- 
meloun,  King  of  Pichtis;  quhilk  biggit  efter,  apone  the  watter  of 
Carron,  the  ciete  of  Camelon,  the  principall  chimmes  of  Pichtis; 
quliare  sum  time  wes  ane  gud  havin,  to  ressave  schippis  contrar  the 
winter  stormes,  thocht  it  be  alterit  now,  be  nechgence  of  pepill,  and 
turnit  in  ane  medo.  This  ciete  of  Camelon  resistit,  mony  yeris  efter, 
to  the  Britonis  and  Romanis;  quliill,  at  last,  Kinneth,  King  of 
Scottis,  quhilk  put  the  Pichtis  out  of  Albion,  brocht  it  to  uter  sub- 
versioun.  This  Cruthneus  biggit  the  town  and  castell  of  Edin- 
burgh, namit  sum  time  the  Madin  Castell ;  for  al  the  nobil  wemen 
of  Pichtis  war  nurist  within  this  casteU,  in  crafty  labouris  of  thair 
handis,  quhil  thay  war  reddy  to  mary. 

And  sa  endis  heir  the  First  Buke  of  thir  Cronikhs :  in  the  quhilk 
we  have  sene,  how  the  Scottis  first  began ;  and  how  Fergus  was  the 
first  king  that  brocht  justice  and  lawis  amang  thaim.  Now  we  will 
schaw  the  residew  of  the  kingis  succeding  efter  him,  in  the  same  or- 
dour  as  thay  rang. 


Clje  ^ecuntf  Bufee. 


HEIR  BEGINNIS  THE  SECUND  BUKE 


OF   THIR 


CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


Hoia  the  Scottis,  efter  King  Fergus  deith,  contendit  for  the  CroiV9i ; 
and  how  it  was  inhibit,  that  yoking  Childrhi  sail  be  Kingis. 


Ergus  on  this  maner  perist,  ane  day  was  set 
be  the  counsel  to  cheis  the  king.  Quhen  the 
day  was  cumin,  the  nobillis  war  devidit  in  sin- 
dry  opinionis ;  for  Fergus  had  two  sonnis,  of 
young  and  tender  age.  Sum  men  thocht,  it 
wes  ane  odius  thing,  baith  to  God  and  man, 
to  defraude  the  ayris  of  King  Fergus,  thay 
beand  pupilHs,  of  thair  faderis  heritage ;  putting  his  hous  to  sic  uter 
dishonour  and  skaith ;  he  doing,  in  his  time,  sa  mony  nobill  actis, 
for  thair  commoun  weill.  Otheris  said,  young  barnis  war  unabill 
for  ony  publik  administration.  For  ane  king  suld  be  ane  prudent 
man ;  havand  wisdome  and  manheid,  baith  to  resist  the  fury  of  his 
enimes,  and  to  punis  trespassouris  be  his  auctorite  and  justice; 
othir  wayis,  na  pepill  micht  leif  togidder :  for  the  fame  of  ane  no- 
bill  prince  is  ane  gret  firmance  to  his  realme.  To  this  answerit  Sem- 


THE  SECOND  BUKE.  31 

bathis,  capitane  of  Argyle,  in  maner  following :  "  Nane  is  amang 
"  you,  gud  freindis,  that  is  nocht  movit,  be  mony  reasonis,  to  defend 
"  the  barnis  of  Fergus ;  sen  he,  be  incredibill  lufFe,  brocht  to  us,  in 
"  our  extreme  neid,  ane  Strang  army,  be  quhilk  he  nocht  allanerly 
"  deliverit  us  of  maist  dangerus  battal,  bot  maid  of  our  ennimes 
"  freindis,  and  of  this  land  ane  realme,  and  decorit  us  with  honest 
"  lawis.  Hes  he  nocht  dantit  the  pissant  Britonis,  ane  pepill  full 
"  of  riches  and  chevalry ;  and  put  thaim  baith  out  of  the  boundis 
"  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis ;  gevand  to  us  sic  iustitutionis,  that  we  may 
"  leif,  as  otheris  nichtbouris,  but  feir  of  ennimes,  gif  we  have  na  dis- 
"  centioun  amang  ourself  ?  Quha  sail  think  us  worthy  to  have  kind- 
"  nes,  gif  we  defraude  thir  barnis  of  his  just  heritage  ?  What  dis- 
"  pleseir  sal  we  do  to  our  ennimes,  gif  we  do  sic  importabil  schame 
"  to  our  prince?  Lat  Fergus  goist  knaw  us  gud  men,  luffaris  of 
"  vertew,  and  not  unmindful  of  gud  dedis ;  with  the  same  mind,  as 
"  he  left  us,  to  his  posterite.  Ressave,  now,  his  eldist  sonne  to  the 
"  crown,  gif  ye  have  ony  respect  to  your  faith ;  gif  ye  had  ony  fa- 
"  vour  to  him  during  his  lif :  otherwayis,  ye  sail  be  odius  to  the  im- 
"  mortall  Goddis  and  men."  The  pepill  war  sum  part  movit  be  thir 
wourdis.  Than  Frauchtaus,  chiftane  of  Brigandis,  said  in  this  ma- 
ner: "  I  se  you,  belovit  freindis,  contending  heir,  quhithir  it  be 
"  more  expedient  to  have  Fergus  young  sonne,  unabil  to  regne  for 
"  his  minorite,  or  ane  othir  prudent  man,  to  be  king.  I  think  Sem- 
"  bathis  mind  suld  be  lovit,  gif  na  thing  bot  kindnes  suld  be  consi- 
"  derit  in  electioun  of  ane  prince.  Nane  is  that  misknawis  amang 
"  you,  how  odius  and  detestabill  it  is  to  defraude  King  Fergus 
"  sonnis  of  thair  kindly  heritage.  Na  sic  cruelteis,  as  I  beleif,  is  in 
"  our  mindis.  Occurris  nocht  at  this  time  to  decerne  mf  Fergus  son- 
"  nis  suld  immediatly  succeid,  bot  only  to  se  how  the  crown  may  be 
"  kepit  hale  to  thair  perfite  aige.  Quhat  vengeance,  skaith,  and 
"  dammage,  sail  fall  on  us,  and  our  commoun  weill,  gif  we,  accor- 
"  ding  to  Sembathis  mind,  suffer  ane  barne  to  be  our  king  ?  First 
'*  sail  rise  amang  us  ane  birnand  occasion  of  hatrent ;  for  thair  is 
"  mony  amang  us  equall  to  othir  in  power  and  rentis.  Attoure  the 
"  empire  and  governance  of  this  realme,  during  this  young  kingis 
"  minorite,  sail  be  gevin  to  ane  of  us :  and  he  that  governis  the 
"  realme  during  the  kingis  minorite  sail  be  king  for  the  time,  and 


32  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

"  honorit  amang  us,  with  aiictorite,  reverence,  and  every  other  ho- 
"  noris  that  efferis  to  princely  estait.  Quhay  is  he  that  will  nocht 
"  besely  contend  for  that  honour  ?  Suppone  ane  of  us  obtene  this 
"  office,  this  man  sail  be  king  for  the  time,  and  sal  riche  his  awin 
"  hous.  And  als  oft  as  ony  thing  occurris  to  be  done  for  the  com- 
"  mon  Aveill ;  as,  ambassatouris  of  gret  realmes  to  be  rewaixlit,  or 
"  armyis  to  be  send  apon  our  fayis ;  this  man,  that  regnis  during 
"  the  kingis  minorite,  sail  convert  him  only  to  our  gudis.  We  sail 
"  be  constranit  to  gif  him  our  substance.  We  man  nuris  ane  ava- 
"  ritius  cumpany  of  limmers  about  him,  nothir  for  the  weil  of  the 
"  king,  nor  his  reahne.  It  is  ane  thing  to  have  na  admiratioun. 
"  Ane  man  is  plesant  sa  lang  as  he  is  privat,  howbeit  he  alter  his 
"  maneris  quhen  he  is  clothit  with  pubhk  auctorite ;  for  gud  for- 
"  toun  and  gud  maneris  ar  seildin  grantit  at  anis  to  levand  creatouris. 
"  Finally,  quhen  this  young  king  is  cumin  to  age  of  xiv  yeris,  and 
"  takis  on  him  the  governance  of  the  realme,  he  wil  be  accumpanyit 
"  with  suspitious  pepill ;  and  maik  him  to  repair  al  wrangis  done  to 
"  his  leigis  within  his  tender  aige,  and  do  al  sic  besines  as  is  requirit 
"  for  the  commoun  weill;  howbeit  he  can  do  na  thing  that  time,  for 
"  laik  of  wisdome.  Than,  quhen  he  hes  maist  neid  of  wise  counsa- 
"  louris,  he  sal  suffir  nane  to  be  with  him  bot  thay  only  that  will 
"  assist  to  his  vice.  Than  sal  thay  corruppit  rutouris,  his  minions, 
^'  be  salut  as  kingis,  and  haldin  in  reverence  amang  us,  nochtwith- 
"  standing  thair  insaciabill  avarice,  but  schame.  Quhay  sail  have 
"  the  curage  or  spreit  to  punis  thaim  for  feir  of  this  insolent  prince .'' 
"  Forthir,  to  behald  ane  young  prince  regnand  above  ony  realme, 
"  is  siclike  as  quhay  wald  se  the  commoun  weill  sweyand  down. 
"  Than  sail  we  have  theiffis  and  oppressouris,  takand  oure  gudis 
"  baith  in  burgh  and  land  without  punitioun;  than,  for  laik  of  jus- 
"  tice,  sail  be  ithand  slauchteris,  the  realme  devidit,  the  pepill  but 
"  bridil  and  governance,  and  may  nocht  leif  in  faith  and  justice. 
"  Thairfore  said  the  wise  Salomon,  '  Vengeance  and  sorrow  sail  the 
"  pepill  have,  that  hes  ane  younge  king.'  For  thir  reasonis,  I  think 
"  the  barnis  of  Fergus  suld  be  gevin  to  wise  preceptouris,  to  lerne 
"  lawis,  gud  havingis,  and  maneris ;  that  thay  may  be  abill  efter  to 
"  goveme  the  realme :  and,  as  now,  the  governance  of  the  realme 
"  to  be  gevia  to  Ferithais,  thair  eme,  or  to  ony  othir  abill  man 


THE  SECUND  BUKE.  3a 

"  quhome  ye  think  expedient,  be  quhais  auctorite  the  crown  sail 
"  remane  reddy  to  be  gevin  to  thaim  at  thair  parfite  age :  and,  als 
"  sone  as  the  king  deis,  thir  barnis  to  succede  immediatly  to  the 
"  crown,  gif  thay  be  abill  thairfore ;  and,  during  the  kingis  lif,  thay 
"  sail  be  honorit  as  immediat  successouris  to  the  crown  efter  the 
"  kingis  detli.  Be  this  way,  ye  may  saif  the  barnis  of  Fergus  un- 
"  defraudit  of  thair  kindly  heritage.  Gif  we  desire  to  eschew  the 
"  sprout  of  sedicioun,  with  innomerabill  inconvenientis  efter  follow- 
"  ing ;  gif  we  desire  baith  to  defend  our  self,  and  bring  our  commoun- 
"  weil  to  proffet ;  this  electioun  of  princis  suld  be  observit ;  for  it  is 
"  conforrae  to  the  mind  of  Fergus,  qvdiilk,  during  his  lifFe,  wald 
"  nevir  have  socht  ony  singular e  proffet,  in  dammage  of  our  com- 
"  mounweill." 

Quhen  Ferithais  had  endit  this  orisoun,  the  counsall  assentit 
haill  to  his  opinionis,  and,  be  plane  consent  of  Parliament,  maid 
actis.  Quhen  it  hapnit  thair  king  to  deceis,  levand  behind  him  young 
children  gottin  of  his  body,  the  nerrest  of  the  kingis  blude,  and  ablest 
to  do  justice,  sail  rejose  the  crown  for  his  time.  Efter  his  deith,  the 
kingis  son  sal  succeid  to  the  crown,  but  pley,  gif  he  war  abill  thair- 
to.  It  was  def endit  be  that  samin  act,  that  na  barnis  be  kingis. 
This  consuetude  was  kepit  mony  yeris  efter :  throw  quhilk  rais  me- 
kill  troubill  in  this  realme ;  for  oftimis  the  fader  brother,  regnand 
in  the  minorite  of  his  nevo,  kest  his  extreme  besines  to  distroy  him  ; 
siclik  the  nevo  to  his  fader  brother,  for  ambitioun  of  the  crown : 
throw  quhilk  occurrit  continual  slauchteris  of  kingis  and  nobillis, 
to  the  gret  trubill  of  the  realme,  and  dammage  of  the  commoun- 
weill. 


VOL.  I. 


CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


Of  King  Ferithais;  and  of  his  deith. 


E  thir  actis  afore  rehersit,  Ferithais,  brother  to  King 
Fergus,  was  chosin  king.  This  prince,  efter  his  elec- 
tioun,  maid  ane  orisoun  to  his  nobillis.  The  effect  thair- 
of  was,  That  he  wald  nocht  ressave  the  crown  for  riches, 
ambition,  or  dignite,  bot  only  to  svipport  his  nevois,  quhill  ane  of 
thaim  war  abill  to  succeid ;  and,  becaus  he  was  left  tutour-testamenter 
be  thair  fader,  he  wald  leif  na  thing  undone  that  micht  avance  the 
commounweill,  othir  in  weir  or  peace,  with  na  les  affectioun  to  his 
nevois,  than  thay  war  his  awin  sonnis.  Sine  he  exhortit  the  nobillis, 
to  make  sic  support  and  favour  to  his  said  nevois,  that  nocht  he,  bot 
thay,  suld  appere  to  governe  the  publik  weill ;  havand  in  perpetuall 
remembrance,  the  honorabill  actis  done  be  thair  nobil  fader,  King 
Fergus.  He  desirit  als,  grave  and  wise  preceptouris  to  be  chosin  to 
his  said  nevois ;  that  thay  micht  incres  als  weill  in  vertew  and  science, 
as  in  yeris,  but  ony  dammage  of  ennimes.  And,  finaly,  declarit,  he 
wald  accept  na  publik  gouvernance  on  him,  quhil  thir  thingis  war 
first  providit. 

Sic  thingis  done,  Ferithais  was  crownit  in  the  fatall  chiar  of  mer- 
bill,  and  ressavit  the  kingis  armis;  in  quhilkis  was  ane  scherand 
sword,  with  septoure,  crown,  and  tressour,  in  maner  of  ane  weirly 
trinsche,  for  defence  of  his  realme  in  liberte,  and  punition  of  trans- 
gressouris  be  justice.  Fra  thens,  thir  war  ay  the  nobill  armis  of 
Scotland,  but  ony  variance,  quhill  the  time  of  King  Achaus,  quhilk 
maid  the  first  band  of  confideratioun,  betwix  us  and  France,  with 
Charllis  the  Magne,  King  of  France,  and  Romane  Emperour :  be 
quhilk  confideratioun  was  eikit  to  the  tressour,  foure  goldin  liUyis, 
with  four  goldin  crocis,  set  in  equale  ordour  about  the  tressour ;  to 
signify,  the  Scottis  hes  ay  inviolatly  kepit  the  Cristin  faith,  but  ony 
spot  of  heresy,  sen  thay  first  tuke  the  same. 

Sone  efter,  ane  convention  was  maid  betwix  the  two  kingis  of 
Scottis  and  Pichtis ;  in  the  quhilk  war  sindry  utilites  devisit  for  the 


THE  SECUND  BUKE.  35 

Weill  of  the  two  realmis.  New  peace  was  ratifyit ;  and  punitioun 
maid  on  limmaris  and  movaris  of  sedition  and  trubill  betwix  the  two 
realmes ;  and  redres  maid,  on  all  sidis,  for  observatioun  of  the  peace 
in  times  cuming.    Sic  thingis  done,  the  two  kingis  returnit  hame. 

Sone  efter,  Ferlegus,  eldest  sonne  to  King  Fergus,  be  motioun  of 
his  familiaris,  and  otheris  corruppit  men,  that  micht  nocht  suffer 
justice,  began  to  hate  his  eme,  Ferithais,  with  purpos  to  distroy 
him.  At  last,  seand  his  wickit  purpos  cum  to  litill  effect,  he  gade- 
rit  ane  cumpany  of  evill  disposit  men,  and  desiri^  the  crown  to  be 
gevin  to  him,  as  just  heritour  thairof.  Ferithais  dredand,  gif  he  war 
repugnant  to  thir  desiris,  to  be  cruelly  invadit,  answerit,  he  suld  ex- 
oner  him  glaidly  of  the  crown  at  the  nixt  conventioun,  on  the  same 
maner  as  it  was  gevin  to  him :  for  he  was  nevir  of  purpos  to  beir 
auctorite  langar  than  ony  of  his  brother  sonnis  war  abill  to  suc- 
cede ;  and  desirit  na  thing  sa  mekill,  as  to  se  ane  of  thaim  rejose  the 
empire,  that  he  might  schaw,  efter  his  deid,  to  Fergus,  the  sicker 
weill  appering  to  his  posterite.  And,  forther,  he  desirit  his  said  ne- 
vo,  to  pas  with  him  to  the  conventioun ;  in  the  quhilk  he  suld  baith 
exoner  him  of  al  auctorite,  and  do  every  thing  sa  far  as  pertenit  to 
the  Weill  of  King  Fergus  hous. 

This  plesand  answer  so  mesit  the  mind  of  Ferlegus,  that  all  ha- 
trent  for  that  time  beand  amovit,  thay  convenit  baith  togidder  afore 
the  nobillis  in  counsall,  quhair  King  Ferithais  said  in  this  maner : 
"  I  traist  it  be  nocht  unknawin  to  you,  wise  faderis,  quhen  it  was 
"  disput  amang  you,  be  quhat  wise  this  realme  micht  be  governit  in 
"  the  minorite  of  Fergus  sonnis,  ye  gaif  me  the  crown,  thocht  I  was 
"  unworthy,  nocht  only  to  governe  it  be  justice,  bot  that  the  same 
"  suld  remane  hale,  quhill  the  sonnis  of  Fergus  war  abill  to  regne. 
"  Quhat  travell,  quhat  incredibill  danger,  have  I  sustenit,  baith  for 
"  your  commoun  weill  and  felicite  of  this  realme,  now  rising  in  ho- 
"  nouris  !  And,  sen  na  thing  is  mair  patent  to  you  than  sic  besines, 
"  I  will  omit  the  residew  thairof,  that  ye  may  have  na  occasioun  to 
"  deme  me  arrogant,  or  desirus  of  fenyet  glore.  I  war  richt  inhu- 
"  mane,  sen  I  have  na  airis  of  my  body,  gif  I  wald  defraude  my 
"  brother  sonnis  of  thair  kindly  heritage,  or  transfer  the  samin  in 
"  ony  uncouth  blude.  Ferlegus,  my  cousin,  and  just  heritour  to  the 
"  crown,  clames  the  samin  fra  me  of  gud  reason ;  for  he  is  young, 


36  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

"  lusty,  of  hie  engine,  of  Strang  and  lusty  body  to  sustene  gret 
"  chargis,  and  sail  be  every  day  more  abill  to  gov  erne  this  realme : 
"  be  contrar,  I  am  feblit  be  lang  aige,  and  desiris  to  be  relevit  of 
"  hevy  curis.  I  beseik  you,  thairfore,  that  the  publik  administra- 
"  tioun,  quhilk  I  ressavit  be  your  auctorite,  be  gevin  to  my  cousin, 
"  sen  he  is  abill,  and  I  unganand  thairfore.  Na  thing  may  be  sa 
"  plesand  for  me,  as  to  have  ane  privat  liife  in  times  cumming  but 
"  ony  pubhct  chargis  Ressave  the  auctorite,  with  mair  gladnes  than 
"  ever  it  was  gevin  to  me." 

The  counsall,  knawing  weill  quhat  irremidiabil  displesouris  war 
appering  to  thair  realme,  gif  this  young  and  insolent  prince  Ferle- 
gus  war  maid  king,  continewit  Ferithais  in  his  empire,  and  requirit 
him  to  sustene  the  governance  of  the  realme,  as  he  did  afore,  but 
ony  feir  of  his  aige ;  sen  realmes  ar  governit  mair  be  wisdome  of 
aigit  personis,  than  ony  corporall  strenthe.  The  nobillis  wald  nocht 
abrogat  the  lawis  maid  afore  aganis  the  empire  of  young  childrin  ; 
and  tuke  gret  indignation,  that  Ferlegus  desirit  sic  thingis  as  war  re- 
pugnant to  thair  commounweill.  And  thoucht  thay  ressavit  him  in 
thair  counsal  with  reverence  and  honouris,  yit  thay  severit  him  fra  the 
pepill ;  repreving  him  quhy  he  yeid  fra  the  counsall  of  the  wise  no- 
billis, his  keparis,  and  desiring  the  crown  without  thair  advise ;  to 
make  it  knawin,  that  he  suld  obey  the  counsal  of  his  wise  lordis. 
Ferlegus,  brokin  on  this  wise  fra  his  purpos,  maid  him,  with  hevy 
cheir,  to  depart  fra  the  counsall.  The  nobilhs,  dredand  sindry  dis- 
pleseris  to  follow  be  his  departing,  brocht  him  agane  be  force,  and 
kest  all  his  corruppit  counsullouris  in  preisoun :  amang  quhom  ane 
was,  that  schew  to  the  king  in  quhat  maner  his  deith  was  devisit ; 
traisting,  be  revelatioun  thairof,  to  get  his  lif  saiffit.  The  pepill, 
heirand  this  tressoun,  war  sa  commovit,  that  thay  had  slane  Ferle- 
gus, war  nocht  the  king  pecifyit  thair  ire  in  time.  And,  thocht  the 
king  was  advertist  of  this  tressoun  devisit  in  his  slauchter,  yit,  to 
schaw  him  mair  reuthfull  than  rigorus  prince,  he  kest  his  mind  to 
meis  the  fury  of  the  pepill,  and  to  keip  his  nevo  fra  displeseir.  Fer- 
legus was  gevin  in  new  keiping  of  the  nobillis ;  bot  his  servitouris 
war  punist  to  the  deith. 

Ferithais,  als  sone  as  this  conventioun  was  skalit,  raid  throw  his 
realme  for  equall  administratioun  of  justice ;  quhill  at  last  he  was 


THE  SECUND  BUKE.  87 

slane,  within  the  nicht,  be  his  nevo  Ferlegus,  thre  monethis  efter  the 
first  conspiration,  the  xv  yeir  of  his  regne. 


How  Ferlegus  was  banistfor  the  slaucJiter  of  King  Ferithais ;  and 
of  King  Maynus. 

Eri THAIS  slane,  as  we  have  now  schawin,  Ferlegus,  the 
murderar,  and  all  other  that  war  gilty  of  the  said  crime, 
fled  amang  the  Pichtis ;  and  finding  thair  na  securite  of 
his  liffB,  he  fled  in  Britane,  quhare  he  consumed  the  re- 
sidew  of  his  dayis  in  gret  misery. 

The  nobilUs,  efter  the  slauchter  of  Ferithais,  convenit  to  the  cas- 
tell  of  Dounstafage,  in  Argyle,  for  election  of  the  king.  Quhilk  day, 
the  counsall,  movit  of  kindnes  to  King  Fergus,  chesit  Maynus,  his 
youngest  sonne,  the  xxiv  yeir  of  his  aige,  to  be  king. 

Maynus  was  ane  nobil  prince,  richt  different  fra  his  bruthir,  hav- 
and  all  vicious  men  in  gret  hatrent.  He  exercit  justice  equaly  in 
his  realme ;  and  gaif  commission  to  his  liegis  to  convene,  and  dres 
all  debatis  amang  thaim  self.  The  difficill  materis,  quhen  thay  oc- 
currit,  was  discussit  be  himself,  anis  in  the  yeir ;  quhen  he  past  throw 
his  realme,  balding  his  justice  airis,  for  redressing  of  wrangis,  and 
punitioun  of  trespassouris. 

The  same  time,  Crynus,  King  of  Pichtis,  send  ambassatouris  to 
King  Maynus,  rejosing  of  his  fehcite,  and  desiring  the  band  of  peace, 
maid  afore  betwix  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  to  be  renewit.  King  May- 
nus, Weill  instruckit  be  his  nobilHs  quhat  was  to  be  done,  ressavit 
thir  ambassatouris,  and  condiscendit  to  thair  petition.  The  peace 
ratefyit  in  this  maner,  the  Scottis  began  to  burgeoun  in  sicker  peace. 
King  Maynus  knawing  weill,  na  pepill  may  incres  but  justice, 
peace,  and  rehgioun ;  and  seand  realmes,  and  every  thing  in  erd,  sa 
subdewit  to  the  power  of  Goddis,  that  na  devise  nor  ingine  of  man 
may  avale  bot  gif  the  Goddis  stand  propiciant  thairto,  quhais  beni- 
volence  bene  sicker  gard  and  protectioun  to  all  pepill ;  tliairfore,  to 


38  ^    CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

move  his  liegis  to  religioun,  he  eikit  certane  new  cerimonis,  to  be 
maid  in  the  honour  of  Goddis  within  thair  tempillis.  And,  first,  he 
ordanit  ane  huge  stane  to  be  rasit,  on  the  south  side  of  the  said  tem- 
pilhs,  on  quhilk  thair  sacrifice  was  maid.  In  memory  heirof,  re- 
manis  yit  in  our  dayis  mony  huge  stanis,  drawin  togidder  in  forme 
of  circuhs,  namit  be  the  pepill,  the  anciant  tempillis  of  Goddis.  It 
is  na  litill  admiratioun,  be  quhat  ingine  and  strenth  sa  huge  stanes 
bene  brocht  togidder. 

The  sacrifice  usit  in  thay  dayis,  was  ane  portioun  of  cornis,  cat- 
tellis,  or  ony  othir  frutis  that  grew  apon  the  ground,  quhilk  was  ge- 
vin  to  kirkmen  for  thair  sustentatioun ;  and  offerit  to  the  Goddis, 
quhen  the  samin  was  supez'flew,  or  mair  than  was  sufficient  susten- 
tatioun to  the  preistis.  King  Maynus  foundat  als  ane  sacrifice,  to 
be  maid  monethly,  in  the  honoure  of  Diane,  Goddis  of  woddis  and 
huntaris;  and,  thairfore,  the  pepill  maid  thair  adoratioun  to  the 
new  mone.  Quhilk  superstitioun  was  lang  usit  amang  oure  anciant 
faderis,  with  mony  othir  vane  ceremonyis,  efter  the  rite  of  Egypti- 
anis. 

Quhen  Maynus  had  governit  his  pepill  in  gud  justice,  and  insti- 
tute thaim  with  thir  and  othir  superstitionis  plesand  to  the  religioun 
of  thay  dayis,  he  resignit  the  crown  to  his  sonne  Dorvidilla,  and  de- 
ceissit,  the  xxix  yeir  of  his  regne  :  King  Elgane  regnand  above  the 
Britonis,  and  King  Thaar  above  the  Pichtis. 


Of  King  Dorvidilla ;  and  of  his  constitutionis,  maneris,  and  deith. 

Aynus  deceissit  as  we  have  writting,  his  son  Dorvidilla 
wes  maid  king.  Efter  his  coronatioun,  he  renewit  peace 
with  his  nichtbouris  the  Pichtis  and  Britonis ;  and  schew 
him  nurisar  of  tranquillite,  detesting  na  thing  mair  than 
sic  besines  as  gaif  occasioun  to  battal ;  and  delitit  in  every  thing  that 
micht  draw  his  pepil  in  peace.  He  tuke  gret  delite  of  hunting, 
rachis,  and  houndis ;  and  maid  lawis,  that  grew-quhelpis  suld  nocht 


THE  SECUND  BUKE.  39 

line  thalr  moderis,  for  he  fand,  by  experience,  houndls  gottin  in  that 
maner  unproffitabil  for  hunting.  He  ordanit  als,  that  ilk  nobill  suld 
nuris  twa  rachis  and  ane  hound  to  his  hunting;  and,  quhen  the 
houndis  war  manyeit  be  adventure  of  chais,  to  be  sustenit  on  the 
comraoun  gud.  He  ordanit,  the  slayer  of  ane  wolf  to  have  ane  ox  to 
his  reward.  Oure  eldaris  persewit  this  beist  with  gret  hatrent,  for 
the  gret  murdir  of  beistis  done  be  the  samin. 

The  Scottis  havand  na  occasioun  of  civill  nor  of  uncouth  weris,  set 
thair  ingine  to  precell  all  othir  pepill  in  the  craft  of  hunting,  and 
maid  divers  lawis  concerning  the  same.  In  the  first,  commandit, 
that  quhais  dog  first  bait  the  deir,  suld  have  the  hide  thairof ;  quhais 
dog  bait  nixt,  suld  have  the  heid  and  the  hornis :  the  body  curit  to 
be  at  the  pleseir  of  the  maister  of  huntis ;  the  residew  to  be  for  the 
houndis.  Gif  ony  contention  rais  amang  the  huntaris,  to  cheis  ane 
juge,  with  all  thair  consentis,  in  the  tempill  of  Diane,  to  aggre  thaim. 
Thir  lawis  war  maid  be  generall  consent  of  the  pepill,  to  nuris  thaim 
in  commoun  pleseir,  drawing  fra  thaim  all  occasioun  of  injuris  and 
hatrent.     Quhilkis  lawis  war  kepit  mony  yeris  efter. 

Thir  constitutionis,  and  utheris  devisit  afore  be  Kinge  Fergus,  war 
colleckit  togidder  in  tabillis,  and  gevin  in  keping  to  the  wisest  and 
maist  profound  Clark  for  the  time,  to  shaw  baith  to  the  juge,  and 
to  the  persone  quhilkis  war  to  be  accusit,  the  punition  conforme  to 
thair  demeritis ;  that  the  pepill  micht  understand,  the  juge  past  nocht 
fra  his  boundis  of  justice  in  punitioun  of  crimes:  attour,  the  counsal 
wald  condampne  na  faltouris  in  thay  dayis,  quhill  the  lawis  war  first 
schawin,  according  to  the  fait.  Throw  quhilk  it  come  in  use,  that 
all  criminabill  personis,  seand  thaim,  be  just  sentence,  condampnit 
to  the  deid,  tuke  the  samin  in  pacience :  gif  ony  punition  was  maid 
on  thaim  above  the  lawis,  thay  murmurit,  as  opprest  be  the  jugis. 
This  maner  of  justice  remanis  yit  amang  the  His  of  Scotland,  and 
may  na  way  be  abrogat ;  for  thair  bene  certane  interpretouris  of  the 
lawis,  but  quhom  thay  can  gif  na  richtuis  jugement. 

Quhen  Dorvidilla  had  roung  xxviii  yeiris,  he  deceissit  at  Beri- 
gone ;  and  left  behind  him  ane  young  child,  namit  Rewthar,  quhilk 
micht  nocht  succede,  for  the  lawis  maid  afore  aganis  young  children. 


E 


40  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

Of  the  tyrane  Ki7Xg  Nathak ;  and  of  Ms  slauchter. 

Fter  the  deith  of  Dorvidilla,  his  brothir  Nathak,  ane 
fair  and  lusty  persone,  and  abill,  as  apperit,  to  pubUk 
administration,  was  maid  king.  This  prince  rang  skars- 
\y  two  yeris,  quhen  he  opprest  his  pepill  with  sic  servi- 
tude, that  he  was  haldin  for  ane  mischevous  tyrane.  He  sufferit  na 
lawis  to  be  exercit ;  he  sptilyeit  the  commounis  of  thair  riches  and 
gudis;  and  persewit  his  nobillis  with  slauchteris  and  banissing. 
Thir  doingis  maid  him  odius  to  his  hegis,  and  maid  his  empire  richt 
unsicker ;  and,  thocht  he  oft  times  was  counsallit  be  his  freindis  to 
abstene  fra  sic  enormiteis,  he  desistit  nocht,  bot  grew  ay  the  more 
ill  vice  that  he  incressit  in  yeris,  lyke  ane  bludy  monstoure,  but 
scharae  and  mercy.  Yit  his  cruell  and  unhappy  dedis  war  nocht  lang 
unpunist :  for  Dowall,  capitane  of  Brigandis,  quhome  he  thocht  afore 
to  have  slane  for  his  ouir  greit  pissance,  be  assistance  of  mony  uthir 
nobillis,  conspirit  aganis  him.  And,  to  bring  his  purpos  the  sonar 
to  effect,  he  maid  Rewthar,  the  sonne  of  King  Dorvidilla,  to  be 
thair  governoure ;  to  that  intentioun,  that  gif  thir  hie  attemptatis 
succedit  nocht  with  sic  feUcite  as  he  desirit,  the  charge  thairof  suld 
allanerly  redound  to  Rewthar. 

Dowall,  to  find  occasion  that  he  micht  bring  his  purpos  to  effect, 
broucht  this  young  Rewthar,  with  ane  cumpany  of  armit  men,  in 
the  samin  place  quhare  King  Nathak  remanit ;  and,  quhen  he  sawe 
the  mater  dressit,  as  he  devisit,  to  have  occasioun  of  debait,  he  gaif 
displesand  wourdis  to  King  Nathak,  saying,  he  was  ane  fals  tyrane 
but  schame,  and  nocht  only  spoilyeit  Rewthar  of  the  crown,  bot 
rang  with  maist  cruell  and  odius  tyranny  above  the  pepill;  and, 
with  hid  slichtis  and  tressoun,  hes  slane  ane  gret  part  of  all  the  no- 
billis. Nathak  answerit  agane,  in  his  wod  fury,  that  he  was  king  be 
ordour  of  justice;  and  suld,  thairfore,  regne  in  times  cuming  con- 
trar  the  mind  of  Dowall  and  all  otheres  of  his  opinioun,  in  sic  ma- 


THE  SECUND  BUKE.  41 

ner;  that  the  said  Dowall  sail  never  find  him  mair  favorabill  nor 
oratius  than  he  was  afore ;  and  declarit,  within  few  dayis,  he  sail 
punis  him,  and  al  utheris  of  his  opinioun,  in  the  schai-pest  sort  that 
micht  be  devislt,  for  thair  attemptatis. 

Dowall,  movit  vnth  thir  dispitfull  wordis,  ruschit  forthwart  with 
his  complicis,  and  slew  King  Nathak,  with  all  the  nobillis  that  war 
of  his  mind,  the  secund  yeir  of  his  regne. 


How  Rewthar,  ane  young  Child,  was  maid  King,  contrar  the  lazcis. 
Hoxv  Ferquhard,  Capitaiie  of  Lome,  was  chasit  he  Dowall  in  the 
His  ;  and  of' his  Orison  maid  to  the  Pepill  tlmiraf. 

Athak,  the  tyrane,  slane,  as  said  is,  Dowall  made  ane 
conventioun ;  and,  be  assistence  of  sindry  nobiUis  to  his 
opinion,  he  crownit  Rewthar  in  the  chair  of  merbil. 
Mony  of  the  nobillis  war  nocht  content  of  thir  doingis ; 
lavand  gret  indignatioun,  that  baith  thair  king  was  slane,  and  the 
lawis  concerning  the  electioun  of  thair  prince  abrogat,  be  his  privat 
auctorite;  and  ane  younge  childe  maid  kinge,  aganis  thair  honourabili 
actis  laitly  maid  for  thair  commoun  weill,  Thir  nobillis,  that  war  of 
this  mind,  maid  ane  privat  conventioun  togidder ;  and  amang  thaim 
was  Ferquhard,  capitane  of  Kintyre  and  Lome,  maich  to  King  Na- 
thak ;  ane  man  of  subtill  ingine,  and  havand  gret  ambition  to  the 
crown. 

This  Ferquhard,  beleving  the  time  ganand  to  conques  the  crown, 
with  dissimilit  mind,  as  he  wald  debait  the  actione  of  the  commoun 
Weill,  complanit  baith  the  slauchter  of  Nathak  be  the  cruell  Dowall, 
and  ane  barne  maid  king,  to  the  dammage  of  the  pepill  and  com- 
moun Weill ;  and  exhortit,  thairfore,  the  counsall  to  provide  ane  hais- 
ty  remeid  to  resist  the  tyranny  of  Dowall,  quhilk  intendit  to  usurp 
the  crown  in  name  of  Rewther ;  and,  gif  the  samin  war  nocht  done, 
sic  sedicioun  and  civill  weiris  saU  rise  haistely  amang  the  chiftanis 
of  thair  realme,  that  the  samin  suld  find  ane  haisty  subversioun. 

VOL.  I.  F 


k| 

w^^ 

1 

^ 

42  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

Skarsly  war  thir  wordis  said,  quhen  Dowall  enterit,  with  ane  band 
of  men,  and  slew  sindry  nobillis  in  the  counsall ;  bot  Ferquhard, 
evill  woundit,  eschapit  with  ane  certane  of  his  frendis,  and  fled  in 
the  Ihs ;  quhare  he  convenit  all  the  clannis  and  pepill  thairof  to  ane 
counsall,  and  said  in  this  maner :   "  Had  Ave  observit  the  lawis  con- 
"  cerning  the  election  of  our  kingis,  maist  vailyeant  pepill,  it  had 
"  nocht  bene  necessar  to  me  this  day  to  make  this  orisoun;  for  we 
"  micht  have  leiffit  in  gud  tranquillite  and  peace  under  the  empire 
"  of  Nathak,  our  wise  and  vailyeant  prince,  now  laitly  slane  be 
"  Dowall,  the  cruell  tyrane.     Attour,  to  aggrege  this  importabil 
"  cruelte  in  mair  dammaige  of  our  commoun  weill,  he  lies  nocht  on- 
"  ly  slane  our  king,  bot  intrusit  ane  young  child  in  his  place,  in 
"  plane  derogatioun  of  oure  lawis ;  intending  thairthrow,  to  bring 
"  baith  us  and  oure  commoun  weill  to  uter  mischeif.     I  find  na 
"  thing,  maist  forcy  campionis,  that  may  seme  us  les,  than  to  lurk 
"  heir  schamfuUy  as  effiminat  pepill,  eschcAving  the  wraith  of  oure 
"  ennimes,  and  regarding  nouthir  our  honour  nor  profTet ;  sen  thair 
"  is  na  other  way  sa  plesand  to  strenth  our  ennimes,  and  to  febill 
"  oure  self.     This  maist  cruel  tyrane  hes  nocht  only  slane  the  no- 
"  billis  of  this  realme,  bot  slane  the  preistis  and  religious  men  ;  and, 
"  that  na  esperance  suld  remane  in  us  to  withstand  his  cruelte,  he 
"  hes  tressonably  put  down  all  the  vailyeant  men  that  favorit  us  in 
"  Albion.     He  haldis  all  the  aigit  men,  that  micht  have  proffit  us 
"  be  thair  wise  counsall,  in  sic  captivite,  that  thay  ar  na  better  than 
"  deid.     And,  that  he  may  oppres  us  with  more  pissance,  he  hes 
"  marylt  Rewther,  ane  young  child,  quhome  he  namis  king,  on  the 
"  douchter  of  Gethus,  King  of  Pichtis.     This  unmercifull  tyrane 
"  hes  devisit,  as  we  are  surely  advertist,  als  sone  as  he  hes  vincust  us, 
"  to  cut  oure  eiris,  and  put  out  oure  eyne,  that  we  may  then  remane 
"  on  hve,  to  our  schame  and  perpetuall  derisioun.    Yit,  wil  ye  con- 
"  cur  with  manheid  and  wisdome  to  my  opinioun,  traist  fermely,  ye 
"  sail  nocht  only  eschew  sic  cruelteis,  be  favour  of  Goddis,  bot  pu- 
"  nis  him  conforme  to  his  demerites  ;  and  beleif  fermely,  that  all 
"  thingis  sail  succede  to  us  with  hie  felicite,  gif  we,  with  na  les  cu- 
"  rage  than  wisdome,  defend  oure  richt,  oure  liberte,   and  oure 
"  faith:  for  we  se  oft  times  vailyeant  and  gret  princis  dejeckit  fra 
"  thsar  honoure  and  imperiall  digniteis,  quhen  thay  applaudit  to 


THE  SECUND  BUKE.  48 

"  tressoun  and  falset.  Heirfore,  gif  we  be  men,  and  worthy  to  be 
"  callit  the  posterity  of  oure  nobill  progenitouris,  quhilkis  nevir  re- 
"  fusit  to  assailye  maist  dangerus  battalHs  in  thair  just  defence,  lat 
"  us  defend  our  richt,  our  lawis,  wiffis,  and  childrin,  aganis  this 
"  maist  odius  tyrane ;  and  erar  assailye  extreme  chance  of  battall, 
"  than  to  leif  in  perpetuall  schame.  But  dout,  the  Goddis  sail  be 
"  propiciant  to  us  for  oure  just  persut ;  be  contrar,  thay  sail  be  re- 
"  pugnant  to  our  ennimes  for  thair  tyranny.  Lat  us  othir  de  with 
"  honoure,  or  ellis  have  victory  with  triumphant  glore,  and  revenge 
"  the  murdir  of  the  king  and  his  iiobillis,  recently  maid  be  this  ty- 
"  rane." 


How  Ferquhard  and  Dowall,  recountering  uthir  be  plane  Battall^ 
war  haith  slane,  with  all  the  NohiUite  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis  ;  the 
King  of  Pichtis  slane,  and  the  Xing  of  Scottis  tane. 


He  capitanis  of  the  tribis,  and  pepill  thairof,  movit  in 
gret  hatrent  be  thir  wordis,  turnit  all  feir  of  deith  in 
maist  rageand  fury;  and  baithit  thair  handis  with  mannis 
blude,  as  the  rite  was  in  thay  dayis;  and  maid  thair 
aithis,  to  revenge  the  slauchter  of  Nathak,  and  his  nobillis,  in  the 
scharpest  maner  that  micht  be  devisit.  And,  but  more  tary,  thay 
gaderit  ane  army  out  of  Ireland,  Argyle,  Lome,  Canter,  and  othir 
partis  adjacent;  sine  landit,  with  mony  galyouns  and  lang  faddis, 
in  Albioun.  Ferquhard,  returning  in  this  wise,  drew  mony  of  the 
pepill,  quhare  he  come,  to  his  opinioun ;  and  tuke  thair  aithis,  outhir 
to  revenge  the  slauchter  of  King  Nathak,  or  ellis  to  de  all  at  anis. 

Dowall,  knawing  his  cumming,  met  him,  with  an  army,  at  Beri- 
gone  ;  quhare  it  was  cruelly  fouchtin  on  all  sidis :  bot,  at  last,  Dowall 
was  discomfist,  and  sevin  thousand  men  of  his  army  slane ;  and  yit 
more  slauchter  had  bene  maid,  war  nocht  the  nicht  severit  thaim. 
On  the  morrow,  Dowall,  with  furius  hatrent,  colleckit  the  residew 
of  his  army  to  new  array,  havand  with  him  Gethus,  King  of  Pichtis, 


44  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

and  Rewthar,  King  of  Scottis,  with  mony  of  all  the  nobillis  of  baith 
thair  realmes.  On  the  army  adversar,  was  Ferquhard,  with  the  in- 
habitantis  of  Cathnes,  Argyle,  Murray,  and  mony  otheris  of  the 
His.  Thir  two  armyis  met  finally  togidder  in  mair  fury  than  afore, 
and  faucht  neir  to  the  uter  exterminioun  of  thaim  baith. 

In  this  unhappy  battall  was  slane  Gethus,  King  of  Pichtis,  with 
incredibill  nowmer  baith  of  nobillis  and  commounis ;  and  baith  the 
chiftanis  Dowall  and  Ferquhard  slane,  with  all  the  nobilite  of  Scottis. 
This  lamentabill  and  unhappy  battall  was  fochtin  with  sic  perseve- 
rant  hatrent,  that  allanerly  remanit  viii  hundred  men  unslane  on 
baith  the  sidis.  The  residew  of  Ferqvdiardis  army,  to  quhome  this 
unplesand  victory  succedit,  seing  the  feild  left  efter  sa  huge  murdir, 
foUowit  on  the  chais,  with  ithand  slauchter,  quhill  thay  come  to  the 
castell  of  Callender.     Thair,  was  King  Rewther  tane. 

Throw  this  unhappy  battall  was  maid  sa  terribill  slauchter,  that, 
mony  yeris  efter,  nouthir  Scottis  nor  Pichtis  was  left  on  liife,  suffi- 
cient to  inhabit  this  realme,  nor  yit  to  withstand  thair  ennimes. 


How  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  rear  doung  out  of  Albion  be  the  Britonis. 


He  Britonis,  quhilkis  war  ay  our  ennimes,  heirand  this 
lamentabil  distructioun  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  cuming 
on  thaim  be  unprudence  of  civill  weris,  traistit  the  time 
sufficient  to  make  thaim  rejose  the  hale  empire  of  Al- 
bion ;  and,  thairfore,  rasit  thair  army  in  maist  weirly  ordinance,  and 
invadit  sindry  landis  of  Pichtis  baith  Avith  swerd  and  fire.  The 
Pichtis,  brokin  with  the  weiris  afore  reheirsit,  and  disparit  of  sup- 
port, gaderit  all  thair  bestiall  and  gudis,  with  thair  wiffis,  children, 
and  freindis,  and  come,  be  mony  wilsome  and  difficil  gaitis,  to  Ork- 
nay ;  and,  efter  thair  cuming,  chesit  Gethus,  brother  to  King  Ge- 
thus afore  deceissit,  to  be  thair  king,  and  dwelt  sindry  yeris  efter  in 
the  said  regioun  in  gud  peace  and  freindschip  with  the  pepill  thair- 
of :  thairfore,  Orknay  was  ay  namit  the  aulde  realme  of  Pichtis. 


THE  SECUND  BUKE.  45 

The  Britonls,  herand  the  Pichtis  departit  in  this  wise,  come  in 
Penthland,  Mers,  and  Tevidaill,  and  plenist  all  the  strenthis  thairof 
with  thair  gudis  and  pepill ;  and,  nocht  lang  efter,  thay  come  in  the 
Scottis  landis.  The  Scottis,  richt  affrayit  of  thair  cuming,  and  se- 
ing  na  other  remeid,  drew  thaini  to  thair  harnes  and  wappinnis,  and 
met  thaim  in  arrayit  battall  at  Calder  Wod.  Nochttheles,  the  Scottis 
war  discomfist,  and  two  thowsand  of  thahn  slane ;  the  residew  fled 
heir  and  ^lair  in  sindry  partis.  The  fame  of  this  unhappy  battall 
maid  the  pepill  na  les  disparit,  than  all  the  nobill  blude  of  Fergus 
had  bene  endit  that  day  in  Albion. 

The  Britonis,  proud  and  insolent  be  thir  fehciteis,  herand,  be 
thair  exploratouris,  that  ane  certane  of  Scottis,  quhilkis  eschapit  fra 
this  last  battal,  war  fled  to  Berigone,  for  defence  of  King  Rewther  ; 
(for  he  was  in  the  said  castell,  with  ane  few  nowmer  of  nobillis ;)  and 
the  residew  of  Scottis,  with  thair  wiflis  and  barnis,  fled  in  the  His; 
gaderit  ane  army,  be  the  ordinance  of  Denus,  thair  king,  and  lade 
ane  sesre  to  the  said  castell.  Nochttheless,  the  Scottis  defendit  it 
lang  time ;  quhil  at  last  thay  war  drevin  to  sic  penurite,  becaus  thair 
vittallis  failyeit,  that  thay  kest  cavillis,  quha  suld  be  first  devorit,  to 
sustene  the  liffis  of  thaim  that  war  within  the  hous.  And,  becaus  thay 
saw  the  maist  vailyeant  campionis  fall  to  be  devorit  in  this  misera- 
bill  mse,  thay  devisit,  the  samin  nicht,  to  ische  on  thair  ennimes, 
and  erar  to  revenge  sum  displesour  on  thaim,  than  miserably  to  de 
in  that  sort.  And,  that  the  king  micht  ische  more  esely  with  his  no- 
blis,  thay  devisit,  that  Colane,  chiftane  of  Lome,  sal  ische  with  ane 
hundreth  men  to  the  nixt  montane.  And  as  it  was  devisit,  so  fol- 
lowit;  for  Colane  isching  furth  on  this  wise,  and  fechtand  to  the 
uter  exterminioun  of  his  fayis,  was  finaly  slane,  with  all  his  folkis : 
and  in  the  mene  time,  quhen  he  was  maist  ernestl}^  fechtand.  King 
Rewther  ischit  at  ane  quiet  posthern  with  his  nobillis,  and  come 
hastely  to  the  see,  quhair  schippis  war  reddy  abidinge  his  cuming. 
Rewther,  eschaping  on  this  maner,  arrivit  in  the  His ;  and,  finding 
thair  na  securite  of  his  liffe,  he  past  in  Ireland.  The  wiflis  of  the 
tribe  of  Lome,  seing  all  thair  husbandis  slane  afore  thair  ene,  slew 
thaimself,  that  thay  suld  nocht  remane  in  servitude  of  thair  ennimes. 

The  Britonis  knawing  finaly,  how  Rewther  and  his  nobillis  war 
eschapit,  war  sa  commovit,  that  thay  slew  the  residew  of  Scottis  in 


46  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

all  partis  quhair  thay  war  apprehendit ;  sine  garnist  al  the  strenthis 
of  Scottis  with  thair  garisonis.  The  residew  of  the  Scottis,  savit  be 
thair  fleing,  and  seing  thaimself  nocht  of  pissance  to  resist  the  Bri- 
tonis,  fled  to  the  montanis;  and  debaitit  thair  miserabill  liffis,  be 
straitnes  of  the  ground,  with  scars  and  hard  f  ude ;  levand,  in  the 
somer,  on  milknes,  rutis  of  herbis,  and  beryis ;  and,  in  the  winter, 
of  wild  flesche  of  the  montanis  :  and  sumtinie  thay  draif  gret  prayis 
of  bestial,  be  dirknes  of  nicht,  fra  the  Britonis,  to  sustene  thair  liffis. 
Thus  stude  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  that  abaid  in  Albion,  nere 
twelf  yeris,  under  servitude  of  Britonis. 


How  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  recoverit  thair  Landis,  and  discomfist 
Sysyll,  King  of  Britonis  ;  and  of  the  residew  of  King  Rewtheris 
life. 

Uhill  sic  thingis  war  done  in  Albion,  King  Rewther 
had  on  his  wif,  in  Ireland,  ane  sonne,  namit  Thereus. 
And,  not  lang  efter,  be  request  of  Gethus,  King  of 
Pichtis,  he  returnit  in  Albion,  and  landit  at  Lochbroun 
in  Ros.  Als  sone  as  the  Scottis  war  returnit  on  this  wise  in  Albion, 
thay  slew,  be  auld  rite,  the  first  man  thay  met,  and  bathit  thair 
mouth  and  swordis  in  his  blud ;  sine  prayit  the  Goddis  to  grant 
thaim  sic  felicite,  that  thay  may  condingly  revenge  the  slauchter  of 
thair  progenitouris.  Belive,  thay  maid  thaim  to  pas  forthwart  to- 
wart  the  south :  and,  in  the  mene  time,  thay  war  advertist,  that  Ge- 
thus, King  of  Pichtis,  was  cumin  within  xxx  milis  to  thaim,  with 
ane  gret  army,  that  was  send  to  thaim  be  thair  freindis  out  of  Al- 
bion, to  help  thaim  to  i-ecover  thair  landis.  The  thrid  day  efter, 
baith  the  armyis  met  togidder  with  gret  triumphe ;  and  passing 
forthwart  to  the  south,  thay  met  all  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  quhilkis 
war  haldin  the  yeir  afore  under  servitude. 

Sysyl,  King  of  Britonis,  herand  thir  tithingis,  gatherit  haistely 
ane  army  to  reconter  his  ennimes.     Incontinent,  the  confiderat  pe- 


3 

G 

THE  SECUND  BUKE.  47 

pill,  but  ony  sicht  to  conques  ony  strenthis  or  gudis,  entrit  with  au- 
ful  army  in  Britane,  and  invadit  the  samin  with  gret  injure  and 
cruelteis.  King  Sysyll,  to  revenge  thir  cruelteis  invadit  the  Scottis 
and  Pichtis  with  haiste  battall.  Nochttheles,  his  army  was  finaly 
disconfist. 

The  hie  and  soverane  manheid  of  King  Rewther  was  principal 
occasion  of  this  glorius  victory  ;  and  in  memory  thaii'of,  the  cuntre 
quhare  the  battall  was  fochtin  is  callit  yit  to  oure  dayis,  Rethirdaill, 
that  is  to  say,  the  Vale  of  Rewthir.  This  battall  was  sa  cruelly 
fochtin,  that  baith  the  armyis  war  constranit  to  talk  peace  under  thir 
conditionis:  The  Britonis  sail  render  al  the  strenthis,  lancUs,  and 
townis,  pertening  to  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis ;  and  sal  nocht  invaid 
thaim,  in  times  cuming 

The  Scottis,  Pichtis,  and  Britonis,  levit  mony  yeris  efter  in  gud 
tranquillite  and  peace.  The  yeir  that  King  Rewther  recoverit  his 
realme,  was,  fra  the  beginning  of  the  warld,  mmmm.dcccc.xcv  yeris ; 
afore  the  incarnatioun,  cc.iv  yeris;  fra  the  beginning  of  Rome, 
D.XLVi  yeris.  King  Rewther  levit,  the  residew  of  his  dayis,  but  ony 
uncouth  weris  or  seditioun  of  his  leigis;  and  deceissit,  the  xxvi  yeir 
of  his  regne. 


Of  King  Remtha^  and  his  lawis  and  governance.  How  Ptolome, 
King  of  Egypt,  send  his  Oratouris,  to  se  the  sitiiatloun  of  Scot- 
land. 

EwTHER  deceissit,  as  we  have  schawin,  his  sonne  The- 
reus  wes  of  so  tender  age,  that  he  micht  nocht  succeid 
to  the  crown,  be  reason  of  the  lawis  afore  rehersit ;  and, 
thairfore,  his  cusing  Rewtha  was  maid  king,  for  thay 
war  brethir  barnis.  This  Rewtha  was  the  first  king  amang  the 
Scottis  that  fand  ingine  to  put  nobill  men,  for  thair  vailyeant  dedis, 
in  memory,  and  maid  riche  sepulturis  for  the  bodyis  of  thaim  that 
war  slane  be  Britonis  in  defence  of  this  realme.    He  commandit  als 


1 

1 

|rJ 

i 

48  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

mony  hie  stanis  to  be  set  about  the  sepulture  of  every  nobll  man,  as 
was  slane  be  him  of  Britonis.  In  memory  heirof,  sindry  of  thaim 
reraanis  yit  in  the  hie  landis ;  that  the  pepill  may  knaw,  sic  men  war 
vailyeant  in  thair  dayis :  throw  quhilk  it  come  in  use,  that  the  se- 
pulturis  of  nobill  men  was  haldin  in  gret  reverence  amang  the  pe- 
pill. On  thir  sepulturis  was  ingravin  imageris  of  dragonis,  wolfis, 
and  othir  beistis ;  for  na  inventioun  of  letteris  was  in  thay  dayis,  to 
put  the  deidis  of  nobil  men  in  memore. 

The  commoun  pepill  was  gevin,  that  time,  to  store  of  beistis,  and 
teling  of  thair  landis,  but  ony  othir  industry.  Thus  failyet  al  inge- 
nious craftis  in  this  cuntre ;  and,  thairfore,  King  Rewtha  brocht  all 
maner  of  craftismen  out  of  othir  contres,  and  sparpellit  thaim  in  sin- 
dry  schiris  of  his  realme,  with  feis  and  dewteis ;  sum  part  to  be  ta- 
kin  on  the  commoun  purs,  and  sum  part  as  thay  micht  win  be  thair 
laubouris.  The  heid  of  every  ox  that  was  slane,  was  gevin  to  the 
smith  of  that  schire ;  the  crag,  to  the  forester  of  the  wod ;  the  toung, 
to  the  man  of  law ;  half  ane  cost,  to  the  sercheouris  of  thevis ;  als 
mekill,  to  the  wricht ;  two  ribbis  of  the  cost,  to  the  medcinar  ;  als 
mekill,  to  the  surrurgiane :  and,  beside  this,  war  gevin  to  thaim  cer- 
tane  mesouris  of  aitis  and  beir,  becaus  na  change  of  money  was  in 
thay  dayis.  Throw  parting  of  the  ox  in  this  wyis,  rais  up  the  an- 
nuell  rentis  in  this  land. 

Efter  that  King  Rewtha  had  plenist  his  realme  on  this  maner 
with  craftismen,  he  was  informit,  that  gret  dammage  fell  oftimis  to 
his  pepill,  be  ignorance  of  evil  medcinai'is ;  and,  thairfore,  he  inhi- 
bit, under  paine  of  deid,  that  ony  man  exerce  the  art  of  medicinary, 
without  thay  war  found  richt  expert,  with  lang  experience  thairof. 
Afore  this  time,  na  medcinaris  was  usit  in  this  cuntre ;  for  al  per- 
sonis,  that  Avar  trublit  with  infirmiteis,  war  brocht  to  the  marcat,  or 
to  ony  other  commoun  place,  quhare  the  pepill  micht  se  thaim,  to 
gif  thaim  counsall  to  use  sic  remedyis,  as  thay  usit  quhen  thay  con- 
valescit  of  thair  maledis.  It  was  ane  thing  richt  odius  in  thay  dayis, 
to  visee  nocht  the  pacient  with  comfort  and  consolation. 

About  this  time  come  certane  oratouris  fra  King  Ptolome  of 
Egypt,  to  explore  the  maneris  and  situacioun  of  every  pepill  and 
regioun.  Thir  oratouris  war  plesandlie  ressavit  be  the  king;  for 
thay  war  discendit  of  the  Egyptianis,  his  forbearis.    The  king  gart 


THE  SECUND  BUKE.  49 

convoy  thaim  bath  throw  the  realme  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  accord- 
ing to  thair  desiris.  Thir  oratouris  wrait  in  thair  bukis  the  situa- 
tioun  of  hillis,  firthis,  iUs,  townis,  lochis,  and  castellis,  within  this 
region;  with  the  lenth  of  dayis  and  nichtis,  baith  in  winter  and 
simer ;  as  thay  war  commandit  be  King  Ptolome  :  quhilk  gaif  his 
ingine  to  discrive  the  situatioun  of  the  erd,  in  every  regioun  and 
IHs  quhare  ony  men  usit  to  have  passage ;  with  discriptioun  of  the 
montanis,  firthis,  and  cieteis  of  the  samin,  be  divers  instrumentis  of 
astronomy :  be  quhais  deligence  and  laubour  remanis  now  ane  richt 
crafty  and  profRtable  werk,  namit,  The  Cosmographe  of  Ptolome, 
richt  expert  in  mathematik.  This  ingenius  werk  was  completit  in 
the  time  of  Adriane,  the  Empriour. 

Quhen  thir  oratouris  had  sene  and  degeisthe  considerit  this  re- 
gioun, thay  persavit  the  samin  ritis,  the  same  maner  of  writtingis, 
the  same  toung,  and  the  same  habit  and  cerimonyis,  as  was  usit 
amang  the  Egyptianis ;  and,  for  that  caus,  thir  oratouris  war  the 
more  plesandlie  depischit  of  this  reahne. 

King  Rewther  governit  his  realm  cxiv  yeris  efter,  in  gret  justice, 
but  ony  uncouth  or  civill  weris :  quhill  at  last  he  began  to  suspek 
his  lang  felicite ;  and,  thairfore,  to  prevene  all  calamite,  gif  ony  war 
approcheand  be  mischance  of  fortoun,  he  resignit  the  crown  to  The- 
reus,  son  to  King  Rewther,  the  xvii  yeir  of  his  regne. 


Of  King  ThereibS,  and  how  he  was  exilitfor  his  tyranny.  How  Co- 
nane,  Chiftane  of  Brigandism  was  maid  Govemour  during  Ms  pro- 
scription. 

Hereus  ressaving  the  crown  on  this  maner,  apperit,  the 
first  sex  monethis  of  his  regne,  to  be  ane  virtewis  prince. 
Bot  sone  eftir,  he  becam  ane  vicious  tyrane ;  involvit  so 
with  lust,  that  he  had  na  regard  to  ressone,  honesty, 
nor  justice ;  and  was  namit  amang  the  pepill,  the  scornar  of  religioun. 

VOL.  I.  G 


50  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

The  pepill,  be  imitation  of  this  insolent  prince,  increscit  every  day 
more  and  more  in  corruppit  maneris ;  throw  quhilk  followit  ithand 
slauchter  of  nobill  men,  with  reif  and  heirschippis  in  all  partis. 
Strongest  thevis,  and  gretest  oppressouris,  war  haldin  in  maist  vene- 
ratioun  and  honouris.  The  commonis  war  sa  disparit  for  the  irre- 
coverable skaithis  done  to  thaim,  that  thay  traistit  nocht  possibil  ony 
tyrane  more  vicious  micht  regne  above  thaim.  The  capitanis  of  the 
tribis,  movit  be  thir  insufferable  offencis,  thocht  unworthy  that  ony 
noble  men  suld  be  misgidit  be  sic  ane  corruppit  nionstour;  and, 
thairfore,  maid  ane  quiet  conventioun  amang  thaimself ;  in  the  quhilk 
thay  concludit,  baith  to  degraid  him  of  his  crown  and  kingdome. 
Thereus,  heirand  this  conspiratioun  of  his  nobillis  againis  him,  was 
sa  astonist,  that  he  fled  in  Britane.  At  last,  quhen  he  had  socht  lang 
time  support  of  the  Britonis  to  restore  him  to  his  realme,  frustrat 
thairof,  he  consumit  the  residew  of  his  dayis  in  misere  at  York,  the 
XII  yeir  of  his  regne. 

Quhen  Thereus  was  exilit  on  this  maner,  the  nobillis  of  Scotland, 
that  thair  common  weill  sal  incurre  na  dammage  for  laking  of  ane 
king,  chesit  Conane,  capitane  of  Brigandis,  to  be  governour.  This 
Conane,  efter  that  he  was  maid  governour,  tuke  gret  laubouris  to 
meis  al  dissentionis  that  war  rissin  afore  amang  the  nobillis  be  sleuth 
of  Thereus.  He  punist  theiffis,  revers,  and  othir  criminabill  per- 
sonis,  with  sic  severite  and  justice,  that  the  bestiall  and  gudis  lay 
thairfurth  but  ony  trubil.  Quhill  at  last  King  Thereus  deceissit  in 
Britane,  be  quhais  deith  his  auctorite  was  expirit. 


THE  SECUND  BUKE.  51 


Of  King  Josyne;  and  of  the  experience  and  preching  of  two  Phib- 

sophouris. 

Ls  sone  as  the  nobillis  war  advertist  of  the  deith  of  The- 
reus,  thay  maid  ane  conventioun  at  Berigon ;  in  the 
quhilk,  Josyne,  bruther  to  Thereus,  was  maid  king. 
^^^__^^  This  Josyne  renewit  the  peace  with  his  nichtbouris,  the 
Pichtis  and  Britonis,  and  held  surrurgianis  and  medcinaris  in  gret 
reverence ;  for  he  wes  nurist,  the  time  of  his  youtheid,  with  sic  per- 
sonis  in  Ireland.     He  was  ane  gud  medicinar,  and  had  gud  expe- 
rience of  herbis.  Our  forbearis  usit  na  othir  medcin,  in  curing  thair 
woundis  or  infirmiteis,  bot  herbis;   and,  in  thay  dayis,  thair  was 
nocht  sa  mony  divers  kindis  of  maladyis  as  now  ar  sene.     Few  in- 
firmiteis war  sene  that  time,  bot  gravellis,  caterris,  and  siclike  mala^  - 
dyis,  cumino-  throw  distemperance  of  cauld  and  donk  humouris. 
The  pepill  leiffit  with  sa  skars  and  naturall  fude,  that  thay  had  nocht 
only  lang  dayis,  bot  war  preservit  fra  all  maner  of  maledyis.    Noch- 
theles,  fra  the  abstinence  of  our  forebearis  was  set  aside,  than  un- 
couth and  deUcious  coursis  began  to  multiply  sa  amang  us,  that,  with 
uncouth  and  strange  metis,  come  uncouth  and  strange  infirmiteis. 
And,  becaus  the  unyementis  and  drogareis  that  our  forbearis  usit 
micht  nocht  cure  the  new  maledyis,  the  pepill  war  constranit,  throw 
importabil  dolour  incressing  be  the  samin,  to  seke  remeid  be  new  in- 
gine  and  craft.    And,  sen  our  time  is  now  sa  venomit  wath  uncouth 
and  superflew  metis  and  drinkis,  we  thocht  sum  thing  necessar  to 
rehers  the  temperance  of  our  forebearis  in  thair  leving,  with  sic  ma- 
ledyis and  remedyis  as  war  usit  in  thair  dayis ;  of  quhilkis  sail  be 
schawin  more  largely  efter,  quhen  time  occurris  more  expedient. 

In  the  time  of  King  Josyne,  war  brocht  to  his  presence  at  Beri- 
gone,  two  venerabill  Clerkis,  of  plesant  visage,  bot  thay  war  almaist 
nakit.    It  is  writtin,  that  thay  war  preistis  of  Spanye ;  and,  passing 


52  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

out  of  Portingale  to  Athenes,  be  unmerciful!  tempest  of  sees  war 
schip-brokin  at  Ros ;  thair  schip,  and  remanent  pepil  that  was  with 
thaim,  perist,  and  thay  only  savit :  and,  becaus  thay  war  philoso- 
phouris,  and  men  of  gret  experience,  thay  war  weill  tretit.  At  last, 
quhen  thay  war  xiv  dayis  refreschit  efter  thair  walking  and  trubill 
of  see,  thay  war  brocht  agane  to  the  kingis  presence.  The  king  de- 
mandit  thaim  to  schaw,  quhat  thay  understude  of  the  nature  of  the 
ground  of  Scotland,  and  of  the  maneris  and  religioun  of  the  pepill 
thairof.  Thir  philosophouris  answerit,  thay  micht  nocht  say  perfite- 
]y  to  thir  questionis ;  becaus  thay  had  nocht  lang  time  to  have  ex- 
perience thairof,  and  als  war  sum  part  febillit  in  thair  fantasyis,  for 
the  calamite  laitly  falling  to  thaim  be  storme  of  sees.  Nochtheles, 
sa  far  as  thay  micht  conjecture,  thair  was  more  riches  and  profFet 
to  be  gottin  within  the  vanis  of  the  erd  of  Scotland,  than  above ;  for 
it  was  more  gevin  to  winning  of  minis  and  metallis,  than  ony  pro- 
duction of  cornis.  Thay  knew  this,  said  thir  philosophouris,  be  the 
influence  of  the  hevin.  As  to  the  maneris  and  religion  of  the  pepiD, 
thay  declarit,  thair  religion  was  nocht  to  be  commendit ;  for  thay 
adorit  imagis  of  brutall  beistis,  in  forme  of  levand  Goddis,  as  the 
Egyptianis  usit :  quhilk  suld  nocht  be ;  for  God  was  that  thing  only, 
that  contenit  landis,  sees,  and  every  creature ;  quhais  perfite  and  ver- 
ray  image  can  not  be  paintit  nor  devisit  be  ingine  of  man.  It  was 
necessar,  thairfore,  that  the  pepill  suld  leif  thair  idolatryis ;  and  adore 
allanerly  the  levand  God,  mover  of  the  hevinnis,  with  sacrifice  and 
prayer  in  thair  tempillis  allanerly,  but  ony  imageris ;  and,  finaly, 
to  leif  in  hope  of  reward,  gif  thay  leifRt  with  clene  lif  and  justice : 
uthirways,  not  was  devisit  for  thaim  bot  dolour  and  torment. 

Thir  philosophouris  preching  in  this  maner,  inducit  the  pepill  to 
leif  thair  idolatryis ;  makand  thair  sacrifice  and  prayer  allanerly  to 
the  mover  of  hevin,  the  eternall  God.  Thus  Avar  the  pepill  brocht 
to  that  way,  that  the  sacrifice  that  was  wont  to  be  gevin  to  Isis  and 
Apis,  the  Goddis  of  Egypt,  was  abrogat.  Throw  quhilk  the  Scottis 
war  mony  yeris  efter  sa  religious,  that  thay  made  adoration  only  to 
God,  the  movar  of  the  hevin :  yit  utheris  war  sa  indurat  in  thair 
aAvn  errouris,  that  thay  couth  nocht  omit  thair  auld  superstitionis ; 
and  belevit  firmely,  that  the  son,  mone,  and  otheris  the  sternis  and 
lanternis  of  the  hevin,  war  verray  Goddis :  for  thay  war  sa  obstinat 


THE  SECUND  BUKE.  53 

and  blindit  in  the  auld  arrour  of  Gentilis,  diat  quhen  thay  saw  na 
thing  in  erd  more  bricht  nor  mervellus  than  the  son,  mone,  and  uther 
Uchtis  of  the  hevin,  thay  belevit  sum  divinite  thairin,  and  adorit 
thaim  as  Goddis. 

This  history,  sa  far  as  it  is  now  drawin,  is  coUeckit  out  of  Vere- 
mond,  Johne  Campbell,  and  Cornelius  Ireland ;  quhom  we  have 
determit  to  follow,  as  maist  autentik  auctouris,  to  the  end  of  this 
our  quhatsumever  werke. 

King  Josyne  was  ane  virtuous  prince,  and  deceissit  at  Berigone, 
the  XXIV  yeir  of  his  regne. 


Of  King  Fynnane  and  his  Lawis ;  and  of  the  College  ofClerkis  in 

the  lie  of  Man. 


Fter  the  deith  of  Josyne,  his  son  Fynnane,  ane  wise  and 
virtuous  prince,  was  maid  king.  He  was  sa  gret  luff'ar 
of  justice,  that  he  richely  rewardit  all  the  capitanis  of 
the  tribis,  quhare  he  fand  thaim  luffaris  of  the  com- 
mounweill  He  gaif  his  hale  attendance  to  win  the  hertis  of  his  pe- 
pill,  and  maid  na  exercition  nor  ministration  of  justice  but  advise  of 
his  nobillis.  He  ekit  the  nowmer  of  his  counsal  with  ma  senatouris 
than  was  afore,  to  mak  thaim  the  more  renoumit.  He  maid  ane  law, 
that  the  king  sail  do  na  thing,  concerning  the  publik  administration 
of  his  realme,  but  advise  of  his  nobilUs.  He  maid  als  ane  uther  law, 
that  the  king  sail  nothir  denonce  weir,  nor  treit  peace,  but  advise  of 
the  capitanis  of  tribis.  Be  thir,  and  siclike  constitutionis,  King  Fyn- 
nane conquest  gret  favour  and  benivolence  of  his  pepill.  Be  this  maner 
of  governance,  he  maid  him  sa  Strang  amang  his  liegis,  that  he  was 
nevir  assailyeit  efter  with  ony  uncouth  weris,  and  grew  in  gret  aboun- 
dance  of  riches.  Finaly,  he  set  his  mind  to  repare  the  religion  of 
Goddis,  for  it  wes  decait  in  his  faders  time.  First,  he  commandit 
the  imagis  of  thair  Goddis  to  be  restorit  to  thair  tempiUis,  that  the  pe- 
pill micht  have  the  samin  in  adoration  as  afore :  and  yit  he  wald 


54  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

nocht  inhibit  the  pepill  to  adore  the  levand  God,  mover  of  hevin ; 
for  that  wes  institute  afore  be  the  philosophouris.  He  sufferit  his 
pepill  to  adore  quhat  God  thay  plesit.  He  wes  the  first  king  that 
institute  Prelatis  and  Clerkis  to  be  in  this  realme :  and,  that  thir 
Clerkis  suld  remane  togidder,  he  gaif  thaim  the  He  of  Man,  liand 
betwix  Ireland  and  Britane,  fornens  Brigance,  quhare  thair  princi- 
pall  seit  wes  ordanit  to  be. 

Thir  Clerkis  convenit,  ilk  yeir,  anis,  at  the  command  of  the  gret 
maister  and  bischop  thairof ;  specialie  quhen  ony  hie  and  wechty 
materis  occurit,  concerning  the  defence  of  thair  religioun  or  com- 
monweil.  Thir  preistis  war  namit  Druides;  and  wes  institute  in 
this  He,  be  advise  of  the  king  and  his  nobillis,  to  mak  sacrifice  in  the 
honour  of  thair  Goddis,  and  to  instruk  the  sonnis  of  nobill  men  in 
virtew  and  science,  siclik  as  thay  war  lernit  at  Athenes.  It  wes  com- 
mandit,  that  ane  of  thaim,  as  bischop  and  maister,  sail  have  juris- 
dictioun  above  the  laif ;  before  quhom  wes  borne  ane  gleib  of  fire, 
in  signe  of  his  honour  and  divinite :  efter  quhais  deith,  ane  othir, 
maist  approcheand  to  virtew  and  cunning,  wes  chosin  to  succeid  in 
his  place.  Thir  Clerkis,  throw  thair  ithand  exercitioun,  increscit 
sone  eftir  richt  expart  in  morall  and  naturall  philosophie;  and  wes 
haldin  be  the  pepill  maist  just  and  haly  creaturis.  Thay  maid  lawis, 
to  discus  the  doutis  baith  of  publik  and  singular  actionis ;  and  de- 
visit  nocht  onlie  punitioun  for  all  maner  of  crimes,  bot  ordanit  con- 
dio-ne  reAvardis  to  be  gevin  for  al  gud  dedis.  Thay  cursit  thaim  that 
contempnit  thair  auctorite.  This  punition  wes  evir  odious  amang 
oure  forbearis  ;  for  the  cursit  pepill  war,  in  thay  dayis,  resecat  fra 
al  o-ud  cumpany,  and  not  participant  with  the  reward  of  honouris 
or  digniteis,  bot  numerit  amang  the  cumpany  of  infamit  and  wickit 
misdoaris.  Thir  preistis  wer  exemit  fra  all  chargis  of  weir,  and  othir 
exactionis.  Of  thir  preistis  writtis  mony  auctourls ;  affirming,  thair 
ordour  and  religioun  first  found  in  Britane :  for  thay  cal  the  hail  He 
of  Albion  under  ane  name,  Britane. 

Fynnane  Aves  ane  virtuous  prince,  and  na  les  honorit  for  his  civil 
than  religious  maneris ;  be  quhilkis  he  decorit  his  realme.  He  ma- 
ryit  his  son  Durstus  on  Agasia,  douchter  to  the  King  of  Britonis ; 
and  conquest,  be  the  samin,  na  htill  glore  and  benevolence  amang 
the  Britonis.     At  last,  he  past  to  gif  consolation  to  the  King  of 


THE  SECUND  BUKE.  55 

Pichtis,  quhilk  wes  liand  that  time  in  vehement  fever  at  Camelon, 
quhare  he  deceissit,  the  xxx  yeir  of  his  regne.  His  body  wes  brocht 
to  Berigone,  an  beryit  amang  the  remanent  sepulturis  of  his  proge- 
nitouris. 


Of  King  Durstus ;  and  how  he  was  slane  for  his  crueU  tyranny. 

Ynnane  deceissit  on  this  wise,  his  sonne  Durstus  wes 
maid  king.  This  Durstus,  be  insolent  youth,  wes  gevin 
to  drounknes  and  unbrideht  lust ;  and  so  diiFerent  fra 
\  his  faderis  governance,  that  he  haitit  all  thaim  that  his 
fader  luffit.  He  brak  the  ordour  of  law  that  wes  institute  afore  be 
his  progenitouris,  for  ministratioun  of  justice.  He  usit  na  counsal 
in  gret  materis,  bot  onlie  of  thaim  that  favorit  his  vicious  maneris, 
and  culd  find  to  him  new  maner  of  lustis.  He  was  sa  mischevous 
ane  tyrane,  that  al  the  nobil  men,  that  his  fader  usit  on  his  secret 
counsall,  war  be  him  othir  slane  or  banist ;  or  ellis,  be  feinyeit  cau- 
sis,  forfaltit  of  thair  landis  and  guddis.  And,  finalie,  he  wes  brocht 
to  sic  cruelte,  that  not  onHe  he  slew  thame  quhilkis  war  odius  to  him, 
bot  als  slew  al  thaim  quhare  he  belevit  to  get  ony  riches  or  guddis 
be  thair  deith.  He  repudiat  his  nobil  quene  Agasia,  the  King  of 
Britonis  dochter ;  and  gart  his  vicious  harlotis  deforce  hir. 

Quhill  this  unhappy  tyrane  wes  involvit  with  thir  and  sicUk  abho- 
minable  dedis,  the  capitanis  of  the  His,  Lome,  Argyle,  and  Ros, 
be  frequent  conventionis  amang  thaimself,  maid  ane  conspiratioun 
aganis  him.  So  far  haitit  thir  capitanis  the  rage  of  tyranny,  that 
thay  wald  na  langar  abid  at  his  opinion ;  and  to  that  fine,  thay  sail 
nocht  appere  as  brekaris  of  the  faith  that  suld  be  kepit  to  thair  na- 
tural prince,  thay  schew  thaim,  be  opin  proclamation,  nocht  assem- 
bht  to  invaid  the  king,  bot  onlie  to  punis  his  vicious  and  unliappy 
counsalouris,  be  quhome  the  realme  was  brocht  to  sic  enormiteis, 
that,  without  remeid  war  haistely  providit,  the  samin  suld  pas  to 
uter  rewine. 


56  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

Quhill  the  capitanis  foresaid  war  preparand  thair  armis  on  this 
maner,  the  commonis,  richt  desirus  to  distroy  this  tyrane,  rais  hais- 
tely  on  athir  hand  to  assist  to  thir  capitanis.  Yit  part  of  the  com- 
monis wald  nocht  concurre  with  thir  capitanis,  beleving  thaim  nocht 
assemblit  for  ony  common  weill,  hot  only  to  usurpe  the  crown. 

Durstus,  na  Htil  affrayit  of  thair  assemblance,  for  he  knew  him- 
self gilty,  maid  him  to  flee ;  and,  seand  na  place  sufficient  to  keip 
him,  he  send  to  the  Britonis,  desiring  his  quene  Agasia  to  be  send 
to  him,  with  ane  power  of  armit  men,  to  resist  ane  certane  of  his  no- 
billis,  aganis  him  conspirit.  At  last,  seand  na  support  apperand,  he 
began  to  turne  his  treasonabill  mind  to  falset  and  slichtis,  and  tuke 
purpos  to  sla  thir  conspiratouris  be  sum  hid  waching ;  beleving  be 
that  way  only  to  eschew  the  danger  appering.  Incontinent,  he  send 
ambassatouris  to  thir  capitanis,  and  fenyeit  him  sa  penitent,  that  he 
wald  reforme  all  ofFencis  and  injuris  done  be  him  in  perditioun  of 
the  commounweill ;  and  promittit,  nocht  only  to  governe  the  realme 
in  times  cuming  be  thair  advise,  bot  to  punis  his  wickit  counsalouris, 
quhilkis  war  occasioun  of  all  displesouris  be  him  done.  It  was  als 
ane  odious  thing,  to  ane  king  to  fecht  aganis  his  subdittis ;  specially 
quhen  thay  ar  nocht  set  to  degraid  him  of  his  crown,  bot  only  to  re- 
duce him  to  better  estait.  And,  for  the  observation  thairof,  he  wald 
bind  him,  in  the  tempill  of  Diane,  under  quhat  astrictionis  thay  plesit ; 
and.  gif  that  micht  nocht  be  sufficient,  he  suld  cum  to  thaim  but  ony 
assurance,  and  submit  him  to  underly  quhat  correctioun  thay  pleasit. 
And,  that  his  wordis  micht  have  the  more  credit,  he  kest  ane  cer- 
tane of  his  servitouris  in  prisone,  as  he  war  to  punis  thaim  to  the 
deith  for  thair  assistence  to  his  vices.  Otheris,  of  small  estimatioun, 
he  arrayit  in  precious  clething,  and  send  thaime  to  the  said  capitanis 
to  be  punist  at  thair  plesour. 

The  capitanis  gevand  haisteUe  credence  to  his  wordis,  send  Doron, 
capitane  of  the  tribe  of  Lome,  to  take  his  aithis  eftir  his  promis. 
Thus  was  Durstus  brocht  in  the  temple  of  Diane,  and  sworne  be- 
fore the  preist  thairof  with  all  aithis  that  couth  be  devisit,  to  ressave 
thir  capitanis  to  maist  tender  freindschip,  remitting  the  rankour  of 
his  mind,  with  al  maner  of  crime  that  micht  be  imput  to  thaim; 
and  not  onlie  to  hald  thaim  as  his  faithfull  and  tendir  freindis,  bot 
to  governe  the  realme  in  times  cumming  be  thair  avise. 


THE  SECOND  BUKE.  57 

Als  sone  as  thir  capitanis,  be  vane  confidence,  were  cumin  to  him, 
he  ressavit  thame  sa  plesandlie,  that  baith  his  wordis,  visage,  and 
contenance,  apperit  but'  ony  dissimilance.  Thus  was  general!  con- 
cord and  blythnes  maid  on  athir  side.  King  Durstus,  rejosing  of 
this  concord,  calUt  thir  capitanis  to  ane  banket,  within  his  castell  of 
Berigone.  Als  sone  as  thay  war  entrit,  this  unniercifull  tyrane  past 
to  ane  towr  of  the  castell ;  and,  incontinent,  certane  armit  men  ruschit 
furth  of  the  chalmeris  quhare  thay  war  hid,  and  slew  thir  capitanis, 
and  all  utheris  that  enterit  in  the  castell,  of  tliair  opinioun.  The  wiffis 
and  matronis,  that  followit  thair  husbandis  to  this  terrible  banket, 
evil  hurt  and  woundit  in  debait  of  thair  said  husbandis,  past  out  of 
Berigone  ^rith  dolorus  spraichis,  crying  vengeans  on  tliis  cursit  ty- 
i'ane,  for  violation  n  of  his  faith  and  promis. 

This  treson  and  falset  of  Durstus  was  nocht  lang  unpunist :  for 
al  the  remanent  freindis  of  thir  capitanis  assemblit  ane  army,  baith 
of  men  and  wemen  sufficient  to  beir  Avappinnis,  sa  haistely,  that  thay 
laid  ane  sege  about  the  castel  of  Berigone,  or  Durstus  v^as  advertist 
thau'of.  Ane  certane  of  tham  past  incontinent  to  the  wallis,  and 
said,  thay  suld  have  sone  experience,  qidiidder  he  was  more  crafty 
in  treason  or  fechting.  Durstus,  disparit  of  help,  come  out  of  the 
castel,  in  his  wod  fury,  with  ane  cumpany  of  evill  arrayit  peple ; 
and  was  sone  spulyeit  baith  of  his  lifFe  and  crown,  the  nint  yeir  of 
his  regne.  And,  howbeit  he  was  ane  vicious  tyrane,  he  was  buryit 
in  ane  kingly  sepulture,  amang  his  forbearis. 


VOL.  I. 


58  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


Ofgret  contention  amavg  the  Capilanis.  Of  the  ortsouyi  maid  he 
Charon,  Capitane  of  Argyle ;  and  how  Ewin,  thejlrst  of  that 
name,  xcas  maid  King. 

Urstds,  slane  in  this  maner,  his  sonnis  fled  in  Ireland. 
Sone  eftir,  ane  convention  was  maid  to  cheis  the  king. 
The  nobilhs  beand  all  of  ane  mind,  eoncludit  to  suffir 
nane  of  Durstus  blude  to  regne  above  thaim,  in  adven- 
ture that  sum  of  thame  svdd  revenge  his  slauchter ;  and,  thairfore, 
thay  tuke  lang  consultation,  of  quhat  linage  and  blud  the  king  suld 
be  chosin.  Sum  desirit  Ragaon,  chiftane  of  the  His,  for  he  conspirit 
first  aganis  Durstus ;  yit,  becaus  he  favourit  evill  dedy  men,  he  was 
repellit.  Utheris  desirit  Cormanus,  capitane  of  Lome.  Thus  war 
the  tribis  devidit  in  sindi-y  vocis. 

Efter  lang  contention,  Charon,  capitane  of  Argyle,  said  in  this 
maner :  "  Ye  may  have  perfite  experience,  wise  fadcris,  be  the  ci- 
'  vill  weris  of  Dowall  and  Ferquhard,  and  now  more  recentlie  be 
'  the  empire  of  wickit  Durstus,  how  dangerus  and  unthankful!  is 
'  to  all  pepill  to  have  ane  cruell  tyrane  regnand  above  thaim ;  for 
'  be  thay  samin  weris,  this  nobil  realme,  quhilk  has  bene  debatit  sa 
'  mony  yeris  with  gret  manheid,  wisedome,  and  curage,  wes  neir 
'  brocht  to  finall  eversione ;  for  be  the  samin  weris,  our  nobillis  war 
'  slane,  and  our  commonis  brocht  to  sa  vile  servitude,  that,  gif  the 
'  samin  had  continewit,  oure  name  and  linage  suld  have  perist  in 
'  Albione.  Quhat  miserie  sustenit  our  faderis  in  Berigone,  quhen 
'  thay  war  constranit,  be  urgent  nccessite,  to  saif  thair  miserable 
'  livis  on  the  fude  of  thair  bowellis  !  Quhat  danger  sustenit  our 
'  King  Rewther,  evading  his  ennimes  be  maist  perellus  ischeing, 
'  quhen  his  realme  was  neir  lost,  and  Colane,  the  vailyeant  capitane, 
'  slane,  onelie  for  defence  of  him  and  his  realme  !  Quhat  fury  was 
'  in  thay  nobill  wcmen,  that  slew  thaimself  at  Berigone,  that  thay 
'  suld  nocht  leif  in  servitude  of  ennimes !    Quhat  hes  brocht  our 


THE  SECOND  BUKE.  59 

'  nobillis  to  sic  mesiry,  that  thay  war  banist,  and  socht  suple  at  un- 

'  couth  reahnes  ?     Nocht  bot  sedition  intestine  amang  thaimself. 

«  The  Britonis,  for  al  thair  riches  and  chevah-ie,  micht  nevir  have 

'  maid  sic  incursionis  and  heirschippis  on  our  landis  and  peple,  war 

'  nocht  we  maid  first  ane  reddy  gait  to  thaim  be  our  awin  dissen- 

'  tioun.     It  is,  thairfore,  to  be  eschewit,  richt  vailyeant  men,  that 

'  this  dissentioun,  now  rising  amang  you,  cum  nocht  to  dammage 

'  of  your  commonweil.     Ye  have  dehverit,  now  laitlie,  the  realme 

'  of  the  tiranny  of  Durstus ;  ye  have  sufficicnthe  revengit  the  slauch- 

'  ter  of  the  nobilHs  be  his  deith  :  now  is  the  time  maist  ganand  to 

'  help  oure  materis.     Tine  nocht,  my  gud  freindis,  the  victory  be 

'  civill  dissentioun,  that  ye  have  conquest  Avith  gret  labour.    Ye  se 

'  the  pepil  glaid  of  Durstus  deith,  and  desirus  to  have  ane  king  be 

'  your  election.   Quhil  thay  ar  now  at  your  opinioun,  mak  ane  king 

'  that  will  tak  your  part :  otherwayis,  na  thing  sal  be  amang  yow, 

'  bot  civill  weris,  heirschippis,  and  slauchter  baith  of  nobillis  and 

'  commonis ;  and,  in  the  meintime,  sum  of  Durstus  freindis  sail 

'  nocht  onlie  usurp  the  crown,  bot  sail  punis  yow  for  his  slauchter." 

The  nobillis  and  commonis,  seand  Charon  of  sic  exellent  visdome, 

gif  to  him  power  to  cheis  quhom  he  thocht  best  to  be  king.    Than 

Charon,  that  the  crown  sal  remane  ay  of  the  same  blud,  chesit 

Ewin,  the  first  of  that  name,  to  be  king ;  for  Durstus  and  Ewin  war 

brethir  sonnis.     Thus  was  Ewin  crownit  in  the  chair  of  marbill,  at 

Berigone.     This  castell  was  haldin  certane  dayis  aganis  him,  be 

freindis  of  Durstus ;  nochtheles,  it  was  finalie  randerit. 

This  Ewin  was  the  first  King  of  Scottis  that  socht  the  aith  of  fi- 
delite  fra  his  subditis ;  that  is  to  say,  that  his  nobillis  and  subditis 
suld  be  leil  and  trew  to  him.  Throw  quhilk  it  come  in  use,  mony 
yeris  eftir,  that  all  the  capitanis  of  tribis,  at  thair  electioun,  con- 
stranit  thair  subditis  to  gif  thair  aifehis  of  fidelite ;  quhilk  rite  is  yit 
observit :  for  the  pepill,  dwelling  in  the  hie  land  and  His  thairof,  at 
electioun  of  thair  capitane,  haldis  up  thair  handis  to  be  leil  and  trew 
to  him ;  and,  als  sone  as  the  capitane  is  chosin,  thay  past  to  the  nixt 
mote,  and  defendis,  under  pane  of  deid,  that  nane  of  thaim  name 
thair  capitane  with  ony  uthir  sloggorne,  bot  with  the  auld  name  of 
that  tribe ;  and,  quhen  thay  heir  his  name,  to  bek  and  discover  thair 
held,  with  na  les  reverence  than  he  war  a  God.    I  beleif,  thairfore. 


60  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

that  the  pepill  that  dwelhs  in  hie  land,  or  in  the  Ihs,  quhen  thair 
hieest  besines  occurris,  sweris  be  the  fute,  or  hand,  or  name  of  thair 
capitane,  as  sum  hid  divinite  war  in  the  same. 

Ewin,  to  stabil  his  reahiie  in  virtew,  commandit  the  young  chil- 
dren of  his  realme  to  be  nurist  with  skars  and  hard  f  ude ;  and  to 
sleip  erar  on  hard  burdis,  than  on  plumis  or  coddis;  and  to  be 
ithandly  exercit  in  swift  rinning  and  wersling,  to  make  thaim  the 
more  abill  to  debait  his  realme,  quhen  time  requirit :  and  ordanit 
thaim,  to  abstene  fra  all  thing  that  micht  make  thaim  soft  or  effemi- 
nat.  This  virtuus  prince  past  throw  all  the  boundis  of  his  realme 
for  ministration  of  justice,  and  punist  criminabill  personis  with  sin- 
dry  punitioun :  some  skurgit,  and  sum  he  punist  to  the  deith. 

The  samin  time,  come  the  ambassatouris  of  Pichtis,  desiring,  be 
the  tenoure  of  confideratioun,  to  have  support  aganis  the  Britonis, 
quhilkis  Avar  laitly  cumming,  with  gret  incursionis,  in  the  Mers,  and 
purposit  to  sege  thair  ciete  of  Camelon.  King  Ewin,  to  support  his 
confiderate  freindis,  come  Avith  ane  haisty  army  aganis  the  Britonis. 
The  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  assemblit  in  this  maner,  went  forth  wart  with 
na  les  curage,  than  victory  had  ben  present  in  thair  handis ;  so  far 
war  thair  mindis  inflammit  to  revenge  the  injuris  done  to  thaim  in 
the  yeris  afore.  The  Britonis,  na  thing  affrayit  of  thair  cuming, 
met  thaim,  with  na  les  ferocite,  on  the  tothir  sid,  Followit,  ane 
dangerus  and  cruell  battall,  fochtm  lang  time  with  uncertane  victo- 
ry ;  bot,  at  last,  the  nicht  severit  thaim,  Avith  richt  soroAvfull  and 
doutsum  chance  of  battal.  The  confiderat  kingis,  seand  thair  army 
brokin,  fled,  under  nicht,  to  Pentland  hillis ;  and  the  Britonis,  bro- 
kin  Avith  siclike  calamite,  and  disparit  of  ony  new  support,  fled,  on 
the  same  maner  as  disconfist  pepill,  and  left  thair  carage  behinde 
thaim.  Als  sone  as  the  confiderat  pepill  Avar  advertist  heirof,  thay 
returnit  to  the  same  partis  quhare  the  Britonis  war  campit  afore, 
and  partit  the  spvdye  thairof  be  custum  of  armis.  Sic  thingis  done, 
King  EAvin  returnit  to  Bcrigon,  and  rcAvardit  richely  the  freindis  of 
thaim  that  war  slane  in  this  battall.  Sum  of  his  capitanis,  for  thair 
provin  vassalage,  war  promovit  to  publik  officis ;  and  othirs  reward- 
it  with  riches  and  gudis.  And,  fra  diens,  he  concludit  to  governe 
his  realme  in  tranquillite  and  peace.  He  maid  certane  jugis  to  abide 
in  sindry  regionis  of  his  realme,  to  minister  justice  to  the  pepil.  He 


THE  SECUND  BUKE.  61 

ordanit  certane  exploratouris  to  remane  in  ilk  schire,  that  thay  micht 
serche  sornaris,  theiffis,  and  reiffavis,  and  bring  thaim  to  his  lawis. 
And,  that  thir  exploratouris  micht  continew  in  thmr  office,  he  dotat 
thaim  with  sindry  landis.  In  memory  heirof,  remanis  yit  to  our 
days  sindry  infeftmentis  of  auld  baronis,  quhais  landis  war  gevin- 
be  virtuous  princis  for  the  samin  caus ;  howbeit  thay  exerce  nocht 
the  effect  thairof. 

King  Ewin  biggit  ane  castel  nocht  far  fra  Berigon,  callit  than 
Ewin,  efter  his  name ;  now  callit,  Dounstafage ;  and  gidit  his  realme 
mony  yeris  efter,  to  the  gret  comniodite  of  his  common  weiil ;  and 
deceissit,  the  xix  yeir  of  his  regne. 


How  Gillus,  bastard  sonne  to  King  Ewin,  slew  two  Sonnis  and  two 
Nepotis  ofDurstus,  to  make  himself  King;  and  how  the  thrld 
Nepot,  Edeir,  cschapit. 

Ftir  deith  of  Ewin,  his  bastard  son,  Gillus,  convenit 
the  nobillis,  to  bury  his  fader.  And,  in  the  time  of  his 
obsequies,  com  Dothane  and  Dorgall,  two  sonnis  of 

.^^__ Durstus,  fast'  contending  for  the  crown :  for  thay  war 

recwileldwith  King  Ewin  afore  his  deth.  Yit,  becaus  thay  war  two 
twinnis,  borne  at  anis,  the  law  couth  nocht  decerne,  in  thay  dayis, 
quhilk  of  thaim  had  maist  richt  to  the  crown.  Thus  rais  ane  schame- 
ful  debait  betwix  thir  two  brethir ;  ilk  ane  of  thaim  set  in  othir 

slauchtir.  .,      j 

This  Gillus  was  ane  man  of  subtell  ingine ;  and,  seikand  occasioun 

to  conquis  the  cro^^^l,  ekit  the  hatrent  of  thir  two  brethir  be  mony 

shchtis,  and  armit  thame  in  athir  slauchter.     At  last,  be  appoint. 

ment  of  Gillus,  thir  two  brethir  war  brocht  togidder  to  be  agreit, 

be  avise  of  freindis,  of  all  debatis,  and  ane  of  thaim  to  be  maid  king ; 

nochtheles,  thay  war  sa  extreme  at  this  conventioun  on  athir  side, 

that  thay  partit  war  freindis  than  thay  met. 

Nocht  lang  eftir,  thay  war  brocht  agane  be  GiUus  in  ane  secreit 


62  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

chalmer,  Eftir  laiig  consultatioun  it  was  concludit  sum  time  to  de- 
vide  the  crown  betwix  thaim,  and  sum  time  to  mak  ane  of  thaim 
king.  Alwayis  Gillus  inflammit  more  thair  hatrent  than  he  mesit : 
and,  in  the  mene  time,  certane  armit  men  ruschit  out  of  privat  chal- 
meris,  as  thay  war  commandit  be  Gillus,  and  slew  thaim  baith. 

.  Eftir  thair  slauchtir,  Gillus  ran  heir  and  thair,  with  piteus  cr3ds, 
schawin  how  he  eschapit  ane  richt  dangerus  adventure,  quhare 
the  kingis  sonnis  war  laid  for  his  slauchter,  and  baith  slane;  and, 
incontinent,  he  commandit  his  freindis,  that  stude  about  him,  to 
have  him  to  sum  sicker  place ;  for,  gif  he  fled  nocht  in  time,  he 
suld  be  tint.  His  freindis,  beleving  al  thingis  trew  as  he  schew, 
foUowit  him  to  the  castell  of  Dounstafage.  Gillus  entering  in  this 
wise  within  the  castel,  and  finding  mony  of  his  opinion,  arrayit  his 
men  in  sindry  ambuschementis,  and  commandit  to  sla  all  thaim 
that  war  repugnant  to  his  desiris.  Incontinent  he  callit  the  capi- 
tanis  of  the  tribis  to  ane  counsall,  and  began,  be  lang  orisone,  to  de- 
test the  insolence,  avarice,  and  unnatural  hatrent  of  the  kingis  sonnis, 
quhilkis,  contending  for  the  crown,  hes  slane  thaimself.  And  on 
the  same  maner  he  detestit  the  bludy  tyrany  of  Durstus,  thair  fa- 
der ;  schawand,  be  mony  reasonis,  his  sonnis  unabill  for  the  crown ; 
and  gaif  thankis,  thairfore,  to  the  Goddis,  that  the  cunti'e  was  deli- 
verit  of  thair  tyranny,  and  the  tresson  falling  on  thaimself,  quhilk 
thay  devisit  for  him.  Finally,  he  schew  the  gret  laubour,  cure,  and 
diligence,  that  he  tuke  baith  for  the  common  n  wele,  and  to  have 
brocht  the  kingis  sonnis  to  concord;  quhilkis  as  than  war  baith  slane, 
he  nocht  knawand  be  quhat  maner,  bot  narrowly  eschaping  with  his 
lif.  And,  forthir,  he  schew,  how  his  fader,  King  Ewin,  left  hira 
governour  be  his  testament,  with  power  to  part  all  his  tresoure  and 
gudis  amang  the  nobillis  that  luffit  him  during  his  lif.  And,  that 
the  commoun  weil  micht  suffer  na  dammage,  he  desirit  the  admini- 
stration of  the  realme  to  be  gevin  to  him,  quhill  it  war  cleirly  dis- 
cussit,  quhay  war  just  heritouris  thairto.  The  capitanis,  quhilkis 
war  at  this  time  within  the  castell,  knawand  weil  his  treason,  to  saif 
thair  liffis,  maid  him  king. 

Als  sone  as  Gillus  was  maid  king  on  this  wise,  to  stabil  the  realme 
to  him  with  sickir  firmance,  he  tuk  the  aithis  of  his  pepil  to  be  his 
faithful  liegis.     Sic  thingis  done,  he  partit  the  tresure  and  guddis 


THE  SECUND  BUKE.  63 

of  King  Ewin,  as  he  promittit ;  and,  be  that  way,  he  conquest  thair 
benevolence  and  favour.  Nochtheles,  the  same  ambition  and  avarice 
that  movit  him  to  seik  the  crown,  remanit  with  him  eftir  that  he  was 
king :  for  he  set  his  mind,  be  mony  slichtis,  to  distroy  all  the  lin- 
nage  and  blude  of  Durstus,  that  he  micht  rejose  the  crown  but  ony 
clame  of  otheris.  And  becaus  he  wes  advertist,  that  Dothane,  the 
Sonne  of  Durstus,  afore  slane,  had  thre  sonnis  nurist  in  the  He  of 
Man,  under  the  wise  Clerkis  thairof ;  of  quhilkis  the  eldest,  Lismorus, 
had  XII  yeris  in  age ;  the  secund,  Cormacus,  x  yeris;  and  the  thrid, 
Edeir,  nocht  thre  yeir  of  age ;  he  went  the  nerrest  way  to  the  said  He, 
with  dissimilat  mind,  as  he  wald  have  brocht  thir  children  to  his  castell 
of  Dunstafage,  to  be  fosterit  thair  with  otheris  nobillis  sonnis  of  the 
realme.  The  eldest  two,  arrayit  in  thair  best  avise,  met  King  Gillus ; 
quhome  he  maist  tenderlie  ressavit,  and  spendit  the  residew  of  the 
nicht  in  cherising  thir  barnis,  that  the  gret  maister  and  bischop  of 
the  said  He  suld  have  na  suspition  of  his  hid  treason.  On  the  mor- 
row, he  began  to  common  with  the  bischop  and  his  clerkis,  concern- 
ing thair  religioun,  constitutionis,  and  lawis.  On  the  thrid  day  he 
maid  sacrifice  to  his  Goddis,  with  solempnit  cerimonis;  and  eftir 
that  he  had  left  certane  men  behind  him  to  sla  the  thrid  sonne, 
Edeir,  he  pullit  up  salis,  and  arrivit  at  Dounstafage,  havand  with 
him  the  two  eldest  sonnis  of  the  said  Dothane,  ^vith  thair  foster-fa- 
der and  brether ;  for,  in  thay  dayis,  the  pcpill  had  na  les  affection 
to  thair  foster-brether  and  fader,  than  to  thair  awin  naturall  fader 
or  brether. 

The  youngest  son,  Edeir,  was  in  sic  infirmite,  that  na  man  bele- 
vit  his  hf.  Als  sone  as  he  began  to  convales,  he  was  brocht  be  his 
nuris  to  Argyle,  quhare  he  was  nurist  lang  time  amang  the  desert 
craggis  and  montanis  of  that  land :  for  scho  suspeckit  na  gud  to  cum 
of  his  two  remanent  brether  that  come  in  Gillus  handis.  And,  as  scho 
conjecturit,  so  followit:  for  the  first  nicht  that  Gillus  returnit  to 
Dounstafage,  he  slew  baith  thir  sonnis  of  Dothane,  in  the  armis  of 
thair  foster-fader  and  brether.  And,  herand  that  tlie  thrid  son, 
Edeir,  was  eschapit,  he  become  sa  wod  and  furius,  that  he  slew  the 
men  that  he  left  behind  him  for  his  slauchter,  at  thair  returning. 
And,  fra  thens,  he  set  his  uter  besines  to  persew  Edeir  to  the  deith ; 


64  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

and  ceissit  nocht,  quhill  he  was  suerly  advertist  of  his  fleing  in  Ire- 
land. 


How  King  Gilhis  xcas  banisf.  Hozv  Cadal,  Chiftane  of  Brigandism 
•was  maid  Governoy?',  and  slew  Gillus  in  Ireland.  And  how  Ewin 
the  Secund  xoas  maid  King. 

Ot  lang  efter,  ane  counsall  was  set  at  Dounstafage;  in 
the  quhilk  Gillus  schew,  be  lang  orison,  that  he  had 
deservit  na  litil  favour  of  his  nobillis  and  commonis  for 
the  prudent  administratioun  of  his  realme,  gevand  his 
uter  bcsines  baith  to  take  away  al  movaris  of  sedicion,  and  to  saif  it 
fra  dissention,  and  weris  intestine,  and  fra  the  insolence  of  ane  young 
prince ;  and,  thairfore,  he  desirit  na  suspition  to  be  imput  to  him, 
howbeit  the  sonnis  of  Dothane  war  deceissit,  as  apperit,  be  the  mind 
of  Goddis ;  for  as  thay  ordanit  kingdomes  and  empire  to  be,  so  have 
thay  commandit  na  wemen  nor  barnis,  bot  men  only  of  provin  vir- 
tew,  to  have  the  samin  in  governance.  Forthir,  thair  was  sindry 
seditius  men,  and  movaris  of  discord,  the  quhilkis  was  necessar  to 
be  drawin  fra  the  laif. 

Als  sone  as  Gillus  had  said  thir  wordis,  he  enterit,  with  ane  cer- 
tane  of  his  nobillis,  in  the  castel  of  Dounstafage.  Incontinent,  he 
gart  sla  all  the  freindis  of  Dtu'stus,  but  ony  miseration,  quhidder 
thay  war  men,  wiffis,  or  barnis.  Mony  of  the  noblis  that  stude 
about  him,  was  richt  astunist  for  this  cruelte ;  dreidand  to  be  slane 
on  the  same  maner.  Gillus  seand  thaim  affrayit,  maid  thaim  conso- 
latioim ;  for,  gif  thay  continewit  at  his  opinioun,  thay  sail  leif  in 
gret  felicite  in  times  cuming.  Efter  this,  he  kest  his  wickit  mind  ilk 
day  to  more  cruelte,  that  he  micht  all  uterly  distroy  all  thaim  that 
favorit  Durstus. 

Quhen  this  bludy  tyrane  had  roung  certane  time,  with  thir,  and 
siclike  inhumane  cruelteis,  unsemand  to  ane  prince ;  the  capitanis  and 
nobillis  of  Scotland  assemblit  ane  army  of  chosin  men  fra  all  partis 


THE  SECUND  BUKE.  65 

of  the  realme,  and  conspirit  aganis  him  with  sic  prudence,  that  this 
tyrane  wist  nocht  thairof,  quhil  thay  war  arrayit  afore  him  at  Doun- 
stafage.  Gillus  than,  destitute  of  all  support,  and  havand  nane  with 
him  bot  sa  mony  as  war  outhir  haldin  aganis  thair  will,  or  coft  with 
his  money,  gat  ane  fischar  bait,  and  fled  in  Ireland. 

Efter  his  fleing,  his  men  war  al  yoldin  to  Cadall,  chiftane  of  Bri- 
gandis,  and  baith  his  castellis,  Berigone  and  Dounstafage,  taikin. 
The  nobillis,  be  gud  advisement,  that  this  tyrane,  Gillus,  suld  be 
perpetually  exilit,  maid  Cadall  governour ;  quhilk  kest  his  extreme 
labour  to  persew  Gillus  to  the  delth ;  and  come  finaly  in  the  Ihs, 
quhare  he  fand  Edeir,  the  thrid  son  of  Dothane,  qvihilk  was  savit 
afore  fra  the  treasone  of  Gillus  be  his  nurice,  as  said  is.  And  be- 
caus  the  said  Edeir  was  destitute  of  freindis,  (for  thay  war  al  slane 
be  Gillus,)  he  was  send  to  Epiak,  the  principall  ciete  of  Brigance ; 
to  be  kepit  thair,  quhil  he  war  of  more  perfectioun  and  aige. 

Gillus,  banist  on  this  wise,  complanit  to  the  princis  of  Ireland,  of 
the  hevy  injuris  done  to  him  be  the  Scottis;  be  quhome  he  was 
exilit,  and  spulyeit  of  his  empire  and  kingdome ;  throw  quhilk  na 
place  was  left  sicker  to  him  in  Albion :  and  promittit,  gif  the  said 
princis  wald  restore  him  to  liis  realme,  to  gif  the  His  of  Scotland 
fra  the  empire  of  Scottis,  to  be  haldin  perpetually  of  the  dominion 
of  Ireland.  The  Ireland  princis,  glaid  of  his  promis,  assemblit  ane 
army  to  cum  in  Scotland  for  the  same  effect. 

Cadall,  Weill  advertist  of  thair  ordinance,  returnit  to  Dounstafage, 
and  tuke  consultatioun  of  the  nobillis,  how  the  said  Gillus  micht  be 
esely  resistit.  Than  was  it  concludit  that  Ewin,  the  secund  of  that 
name,  sal  be  king ;  for  he  was  nepot  to  King  Fynnane,  gottin  of  his 
bruther,  Dowal. 

Gillus,  seand  the  see  campis  stuffit  in  all  partis  of  Albion  to  re- 
sist his  cuming,  arrivit  in  the  His ;  quhare  he  exercit  his  cruelte  but 
ony  miseratioun  or  piete;  sine  tuke  with  him  all  the  guddis  that 
micht  be  caryit,  and  the  remanent  put  in  fire.  King  Ewin,  impa^ 
cient  to  suffer  thir  injuris,  providit  ane  flote  of  galyeonis  and  schippis, 
with  marineris,  weirmen,  and  other  thingis  necessar ;  and  send  thaim 
with  Cadall,  his  admu-all,  in  Ireland.  Sone  efter,  Cadall  pullit  up 
sahs,  and,  with  fortunat  windis,  arrivit  in  Ireland.  At  quhais  cum- 

VOL.  I.  I 


66  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

ing  went  sic  confluence  of  pepil  to  him,  that  he  semit  nocht  only  to 
vinous  Gillus,  bot  all  the  pepill  of  Ireland. 

Gillus  sone  efter  arrayit  his  folkis,  and,  be  sound  of  trumpet, 
baith  the  armjis  junit,  and  faucht  with  gret  cruelte  on  ilk  side ; 
quhill,  at  last,  mony  of  Gillus  folkis,  wery  and  mate,  specially  thay 
that  thocht  it  odius  to  fecht  aganis  thair  native  pepill,  fled  fra  Gil- 
lus, and  randerit  thaim  to  Cadall.  Than  Gilkis,  disparit  of  victory, 
raif  of  his  coit-armour,  and  fled  in  a  thik  wod.  Sone  efter,  certane 
annit  men  war  send  to  seik  Gillus ;  and  fand  him  finaly  in  ane  dirk 
coif  of  the  wod,  neir  famist  of  hunger ;  and  incontinent  thay  slew 
him,  and  brocht  his  heid  to  Cadall. 

This  miserabill  end  maid  Gillus,  the  secund  yeir  of  his  regne ; 
confiding  ouir  mekill  in  his  tyranny  and  falset. 


Hoxa  Cadall,  returnand  out  of  Ireland,  lost  the  maist  part  of'  his 
Army  he  rage  of  Sees.  And  of  the  consolatioun  maid  to  him  be 
King-  Ewin. 

Fter  the  deith  of  Gillus,  Cadall  was  returnand  in  Al- 
bioun,  be  the  Ireland  sees,  with  his  victorious  army  : 
quhen  suddandly  rais  ane  unmerciful  storme,  and  tur- 
nit  all  his  glore  of  victory  in  desolatioun ;  for,  the  ir- 
recoverabill  skaithis  falling  be  the  said  tempest,  passit  all  the  prof- 
fet  of  his  victory.  The  miserabill  moderis  and  wiffis,  knawing  thair 
husbandis  and  sonnis  perist  in  the  sees,  convenit  to  the  schippis, 
with  hidduous  spraichis  and  schowtis.  Amang  othir  lamentabill 
sichtis,  Cadall  come  to  land  in  dolorus  array,  beu-and  his  handis  to 
the  hevin,  and  warying  fortoun  and  the  Goddis,  that  distroyit  sa 
mony  nobill  and  vailyeant  men,  converting  thair  glore  of  victory  in 
supreme  misery  ;  quhais  dolorus  havingis  war  sa  petuous,  that  every 
man  had  compassioun  thairof. 

King  Ewin,  richt  sorrowfull  of  thir  novellis,  come,  with  gret  dili- 
gence, to  Cadall,  and  said  in  this  maner :  "  Thou  hes  brocht  to  me 


THE  SECUND  BUKE.  67 

"  and  my  realme,  maist  vailyeant  Cadall,  na  litill  consolatioun ;  re- 
"  turning  \\ath  thy  victorius  army  in  Albioun,  unbrokin  be  injuris 
"  of  ennimes.  Thou  hes  vincust  my  ennimes  in  ane  uncouth  regioun, 
"  fechtand  manly,  be  displayit  baneris,  for  the  eis  of  my  realme  and 
"  common  weill.  The  tyrane  GilUis,  pump  of  every  vice,  is  vincust. 
"  Howbeit,  his  schamefuU  fleingmicht  be  no  support  to  him ;  quhais 
"  heid,  schorne  fra  his  body,  is  brocht  in  Albion,  to  that  fine,  that 
"  he  sal  nocht  want  now,  quhen  he  is  deid,  the  schame  and  disho- 
"  nour  that  he  deservit  for  his  tyranny  in  his  lif.  ]\Iy  adversaryis 
"  ar  penitent  of  thair  rebellioun,  and  brocht  to  my  opinion.  Our 
"  army,  be  thy  industry,  ar  saiffit  but  reproche  amang  thair  un- 
"  couth  and  strongest  fais.  Thou  hes  left  na  thing  undone,  that 
*'  pertenit  to  ane  forcy  campioun.  Na  cans  occurris  to  reclame  aganis 
"  fortoun  nor  the  hevinnis ;  for,  thocht  ane  part  of  thy  army  be 
"  perist,  be  tempest  and  rage  of  seis,  yit  thow,  be  benevolence  and 
"  favour  of  Goddis,  ar  saffit  to  the  hie  honour  of  this  realme.  Thow 
"  arrivit  in  Ireland  nocht  but  propiciant  favour  of  the  Goddis,  re- 
"  turning  with  sa  riche  spulyeis,  but  on}^  injuris  of  ennimes.  And, 
"  thocht  thy  ennimes  rejose  of  the  mischance  falling  to  thy  army, 
"  yit  na  glore  may  succeid  thairof  to  thaim.  For  the  stait  of  eirdly 
"  creatouris  hes  this  condicioun:  eftir  prosperite  cuiuis  adversite, 
"  and  eftir  adversite  cumis  prosperite ;  proceding  be  reward  of  fa- 
"  tal  destineis,  quhais  affect  may  nocht  be  movit,  nor  yit  eschewit, 
"  be  prudence  of  mortall  creatouris.  Thow  hes,  thairfore,  na  caus 
"  to  lament,  bot  erar  to  have  thy  adversite  in  pacience,  saiffing  the 
*'  to  ane  better  fort  on.  And  sen  na  creatouris  may  remeid  thir  dis- 
"  plesouris  bot  the  Goddis,  quhilkis  governis  the  empire  of  men  at 
"  thair  pleseir,  schaw  now  ane  plesand  vult  with  us ;  that  thy 
"  freindis  and  ennimes  may  knaw  the,  be  ferme  Constance,  na  mair 
"  brokin  in  adversite,  than  proAvd  in  prosperite ;  that  thy  spreit  and 
"  curage  may  appere  als  invincible,  as  thy  body  is  in  battall." 

Cadall  heirand  this  consolatiovm  of  his  prince,  fenyeit  al  the  cheir 
he  micht :  howbeit,  he  repentit  sair,  that  this  unmercifull  tempest, 
that  consumit  sa  mony  vailyeant  men,  left  him  on  live,  to  se  thair 
mischeif  and  sorow.  Of  this  calamite  falling  to  Cadall,  is  sum  part 
rehersit,  be  the  poete  Claudiane,  and  othir  auctouris. 


68  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


Cfjap*  Binttttntij. 

Ho'lO  the  Kh}gis  of  Scottis  and  Pkhtis  rear  all'iat  togklder  be  Ma~ 
riage.  Hoxc  Balus,  King  ofOrknay,  slexv  himself  he  disperation. 
Of  the  raise  comisall  gevin  he  King  Eicin  to  Edeir, 

IxG  EAnn,  eftir  the  slaucbter  of  Gillus,  desiring  to  go- 
verne  his  reahiie  in  justice,  visit  all  the  boundis  thairof, 
and  punist  faltoviris ;  and  gave  to  Cadall,  for  the  faith- 
ful! service  be  him  done,  the  io\a\  of  Epiak,  with  sin- 
dry  othir  landis  and  townis  of  Brigance,  in  fre  regahte. 

Nocht  lang  eftir,  King  Ewin,  accumpanit  -with  his  nobillis,  met 
Gethus,  King  of  Pichtis,  on  the  borduris  of  Brigance,  and  renewit 
the  band  of  peace  v-ith  Pichtis.  This  peace  wes  roborat  be  mariage ; 
for  King  Ewin  maryit  Siora,  dochter  of  Gethus  the  Thrid,  King  of 
Pichtis.  This  mariage  wes  solempnisit  be  the  bischop  and  preistis 
of  the  lie  of  Man. 

Nocht  lang  eftir,  he  wes  advertist,  that  Balus,  King  of  Orknaj, 
wes  cumming,  with  ane  flote  of  schippis,  throw  Pentland  Firth,  and 
maid  na  litiU  heirschippis  and  slauchter  in  Ros  and  Cathnes.  King 
Ewin,  to  meit  thir  attemptatis,  assemblit  ane  flote  of  schippis  with 
sic  deligence,  that  Balus  wes  not  advertist  thairof,  quhill  he  wes  ar- 
rivit  in  sicht.  The  Orknay  men,  abasit  of  his  suddand  cumming, 
war  constranit  to  gif  battall :  bot  thay  war  sone  discomfist ;  and,  be 
continewall  chais,  drevin  to  the  scis,  quhare  ane  part  of  thame  es- 
chapit  be  fischear  batis,  and  the  residew  vincust  and  slane.  King 
Balus  seing  na  way  to  eschape,  that  he  sail  nocht  cum  in  his  enni- 
mes  handis,  slew  himself.  King  Ewin,  throw  this  victory,  conquest 
gret  favour  of  his  pepill.  And,  quhen  he  wes  returning  hame  be 
the  Ireland  seis,  he  arrivit  in  the  mouth  of  Lochtie,  quhare  he  big- 
git  ane  town,  callit  Inverlochtie ;  and  maid  thair  ane  sicker  refuge, 
in  the  honour  of  his  Goddis,  defending,  under  pane  of  deid,  that 
ony  criminabill  personis  be  abstrakit  out  of  the  samin,  nochtwith- 
standing  quhatsumevir  crimis  be  thaim  committit.     This  town  wes 


THE  SECUND  BUKE.  69 

eftir  ane  commoun  port  till  all  marchandis  of  France  or  Spanye,  for 
the  incredibill  plente  of  fische  swommand  in  thay  seis.  Of  this  town 
remanis  nocht,  in  our  days,  saif  onlie  the  ruinus  wallis  thairof;  for 
it  wes  evertit  be  tlie  Danis,  as  we  sail  eftir  schaw.  King  Ewin  big- 
git  ane  othir  town  on  the  river  of  Nes,  quhilk  is  yit  namit  Innernes ; 
quhair  sum  time  wes  gret  repair  of  marchandis,  quhilkis  come  out 
of  Almany  to  seik  riche  furringis ;  as  raartrikis,  bevaris,  and  siclik 
skinnis,  quhilkis  aboundis  in  that  regioun.  This  town  remanis  yit, 
under  the  auld  name,  full  of  marchandise  and  guddis ;  howbeit  it 
be  oftimes  heryit  be  evil  nichtbouris  liand  thair  about. 

King  Ewin,  as  ane  noble  and  illuster  prince,  baith  in  peace  and 
weir,  passit  the  remanent  of  his  dayis  but  ony  domistik  or  uncouth 
weris ;  and  peacefyit  the  seditionis  that  rais  in  the  His  be  marveUus 
wisdome :  for  he  detestit  ay  civill  weris,  als  weiU  quhen  he  wes  in 
privat  as  in  publik  auctorite.  Schort  time  afore  his  deith,  he  past 
to  Epiak,  to  agre  the  sonnis  of  Cadall ;  quhilkis  feU  in  gret  conten- 
tion, efter  thair  faderis  deith,  for  his  riches  and  guddis :  nochtheles, 
tliis  nobill  prince  aggreit  thaim  sone  efter  his  cuming.  And  efter 
that  he  had  done  the  obsequies  for  Cadall,  efFering  to  the  gise  of 
thay  dayis,  he  gart  rais  ane  huge  stane,  gravin  to  the  quik  image  of 
Cadall,  apon  ane  hie  mot ;  and  commandit  the  pepill  to  offer  him 
wine  and  sens:  for  oure  forebearis  war  dissavit,  als  weil  as  othir 
pepil,  in  thair  arrouris. 

King  Ewin,  sorrowfull  of  the  deith  of  Cadall,  fell  in  hevy  infir- 
mite  ;  and  Avas  sa  disparit  of  his  heill,  that  lie  resignit  the  crown  to 
Edeir,  the  thrid  nepote  of  King  Durstus,  for  he  was  just  herytoure 
to  the  crown,  as  we  have  schawin.  And  to  that  fine,  that  Edeir  suld 
be  ane  gud  king,  he  counsalit  him,  to  defende  his  liegis  and  subdittis 
fra  all  injuris ;  and  to  do  na  man  injure;  and  to  geif  na  man  office 
nor  auctorite,  that  is  ennime  to  justice ;  and  to  dres  all  gret  materis 
be  himself,  and  the  small  materis  to  commit  to  his  nobillis ;  and  to 
governe  him  ay  in  sic  maner,  that  he  may  be  worthy  to  regne  above 
his  subdittis ;  and  nevir  to  move  battall  les  than  he  micht  na  othir 
wayis  do ;  and,  quhen  it  was  necessar  to  liave  battall,  to  irk  of  na 
chargis  pertening  to  weirly  ordinance ;  and  to  devoid  him  nevir  of 
piete,  for  that  virtew  was  maist  semand  in  ane  prince :  and,  finalv. 


70  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

commandit  him,  above  all  othir  besines,  to  have  his  Goddis  in  re- 
verence, quhais  favoure  wes  ane  sover  protectioun  to  all  realmis. 
And  quhen  he  had  gevin  this  counsal  to  Edeir,  he  deceissit,  the 
XVII  yeir  of  his  regne.  Efter  quhais  deceis,  was  raisit  ane  crafty 
imaige,  maid  to  his  similitude ;  quhilk  was  haldin  mony  yeris  efter 
in  gret  veneratioun  amang  the  pepill. 
And  sa  endis  heir  the  Secund  Buke. 


Clje  %\)xiti  Mnht. 


HEIR  BEGINNIS  THE  THKID  BUKE 


OF  THE 


CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


Of  King  Edeir ;  and  how  he  revengH  the  heirschippis  maid  he  the 
tratoure  Bredus  in  the  His. 


Win  deceissit  in  this  maner,  Edeir  was  crownit 
in  the  chiar  of  merbil.  And,  sone  efter,  he 
vesit  all  the  boundis  of  his  realme;  quhais 
passaige  was  the  mau'  plesand  to  his  nobillis, 
that  he  was  gevin  to  hunting :  for  he  dehtit 
in  no  thing  more  than  in  chais  of  wild  beistis 
II  with  houndis  and  rachis,  and  specially  of 
wolffis,  for  thay  ar  noisum  to  tame  bestiaU.  This  regioun,  tlirow 
the  cauld  humouris  thairof,  ingeneris  wolffis  of  feirs  and  cruell  na- 
ture. 

King  Edeir  brocht  the  pepill  to  sic  tranquillite,  that  thay  levit 
mony  yeris  but  ony  oppression  or  injure  of  nichtbouris.  Bot  at  last, 
Bredus  of  the  His,  cosing  to  Gillus  afore  rehersit,  arrivit  with  mony 
schippis  and  galyeonis  in  Argyle,  to  revenge  the  slauchter  of  the 
said  Gillus,  and  othir  his  freindis,  slane  in  Ireland.  The  pepill,  im- 


72  CROxNIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

pacient  to  suffer  the  heirschippis  and  slauchter  be  him  maid,  com- 
plainit  to  King  Edeir,  quhilk  was  huntand  on  the  nixt  montanis  for 
the  time.  King  Edeir  advertist  heirof,  past,  that  same  nicht,  with 
ane  cumpany  of  chosin  men  to  the  sees,  quhair  the  said  Bred  us  was 
arrivit ;  and,  first,  he  brint  all  thair  schippis  and  galyeonis,  that  thay 
micht  have  na  refuge  to  fle  in  Ireland.  On  the  nixt  morrow,  King 
Edeir  persewit  this  Bredus  and  his  complicis  with  sic  manheid,  that 
thay  war  finaly  tane,  and  put  to  deith.  Sic  thingis  done.  King 
Edeir  past  in  the  His,  quhare  he  punist  sindry  conspiratouris,  tliat 
followit  the  opinioun  of  Gillus  and  Bredus. 


How  the  Britonis  send  Amhassatouris  to  King  Edeir,  for  support 
aganis  Julius  Cesar.  Of  thair  orison,  and  of  King  Edeiris  an- 
sxver.  And  how  the  said  Julius  rvas  doung  out  of  Albion,  he 
support  of  Scottis. 


i^^P 


A 


ms3^ 


Ls  sone  as  Edeir  had  dantit  all  invasouris  of  his  realme, 
he  returnit  to  Dounstafage.  In  the  mene  time,  come  to 
him  the  amhassatouris  of  Cassibilane,  King  of  Britonis, 
desiring  support  aganis  Julius  Cesar,  Romane  Empe- 
rour ;  quhais  army  was  reddy,  with  maist  awfull  ordinance,  to  cum 
in  Albion.  Edeir  plesandly  ressavit  thir  amhassatouris,  and  com- 
mandit  thaim  to  propone  thair  eirandis.  Sone  efter  ane  nobill  man, 
namit  Androgens,  said  in  this  maner :  "  I  will  say  na  thing  before 
"  this  famous  auditoure,  in  the  name  of  Cassibilane,  King  of  Bri- 
"  tonis,  maist  nobill  prince  ;  saif  it  only  that  sal  pertene  baith  to  the 
"  weil  of  thy  realme  and  liegis.  Nature,  the  wise  moder  of  all  crea- 
"  touris,  hes  put  in  this  He  of  Albioun  thre  vailyeant  pepill ;  nocht 
"  to  that  behuffe,  that  thay  suld  leif  in  seditioun,  and  invaid  othir 
"  as  beistis,  but  reasoun;  bot  to  incres  togidder  under  ane  benivo- 
"  lence  and  freindschip,  that  thay  may  be  the  more  Strang  to  resist 
"  uncouth  ennimes  quhenevir  it  sail  happin  thaim  to  be  invadit. 
"  Quha  may  beleif  or  traist  the  realme  to  stand  sicker,  quhen  the 


THE  THRID  BUKE.  73 

"  Britonis  ar  distroyit  be  Romanis?  Bot  gif  sum  man,  be  vane 
"  esperance,  wald  traist  the  Romanis,  quhilkis  relffis  sceptouris  fra 
"  kingis,  to  be  the  more  plesand  and  merciful!  to  yow  that  youre 
"  nichtbouris  ar  distroyit,  thou  may  have  cognossance,  be  dammage 
"  of  othir  pepill,  that  this  opinioun  is  vane.  The  Romanis,  calland 
"  thaimself,  be  proude  insolence,  lordis  of  the  warld,  quhilkis  ar  ha- 
"  tit  with  all  pepill  for  thair  tirannie,  ar  determit  to  cum  haistely  in 
"  Albioun,  to  subdew  the  samin  to  thair  empire.  Quhat  othir  thing 
"  may  we  beleif  the  Romanis  sail  do,  quhen  thay  have  subdevvit  us 
"  Britonis,  bot,  with  sichk  avarice  and  tyranny,  to  reif  fra  yow  Scottis 
"  and  Pichtis  your  landis,  lawis,  and  liberteis  ?  Quhat  othir  thing 
"  desire  thay,  bot  to  sit  down  in  our  landis,  castellis,  and  townis; 
"  and  outhir  to  thrill  us  to  maist  schamefull  servitude,  or  ellis  to 
"  banis  the  maist  nobill  and  vailyeant  men  amang  us  ?  Thair  deidis 
"  schawls  Weill  thair  tyranny:  as  may  be  weil  provin  to  us  be  the 
"  re  wine  of  Cartage,  sum  time  the  riche  ciete,  and  brocht  finaly  to 
"  nocht,  fra  it  was  randerit  to  Romanis,  nochtwithstanding  that  it 
"  abaid  at  thair  opinion  and  faith.  Forther,  gif  sa  remot  and  un- 
"  couth  history  may  nocht  move  yow,  behald  the  Gallis,  your  nicht- 
"  bouris,  quhilkis,  als  sone  as  thay  war  vincust  be  Romanis,  war 
"  thirlit  to  perpetuall  servitude;  thair  munitionis,  and  every  maner 
"  of  wappinnis  tane  fra  thaim.  It  is  nocht  to  be  traistit,  that  Ro- 
"  manis  sail  be  more  propiciant  to  us  Albianis,  gif  we  be  vincust, 
"  than  thay  have  bene  to  otheris  afore ;  for  ay  the  more  incressis 
"  thau:  dominioun,  thair  tyranny  is  the  mair  insufferabill.  Lat  us 
"  heirfore  resist  thir  commoun  injuris,  with  all  our  pissance  equale 
"  concurring.  Best  is  to  resist  this  violence  of  Romanis  in  the  be- 
"  ginning,  in  adventure  thay  grow  efter  sa  Strang,  quhen  thair 
"  power  is  junit  togidder,  that  thay  may  nocht  be  resistit.  Belt  ye 
"  thairfore,  maist  invincibil  prince,  with  thy  provin  virtew,  to  sup- 
"  port  us  be  thir  thy  vailyeant  pepil.  Come,  lusty  gallandis,  array- 
"  it  in  battal  aganis  our  common  ennimes.  Defend  your  anciant  li- 
"  berte,  and  have  ferme  esperance  of  victory ;  sen  our  common  en- 
"  nimes,  nocht  content  of  the  remanent  boundis  of  the  warld,  be  in- 
"  saciabil  avarice,  and  but  ony  occasion  of  injuris,  intendis  to  sub- 
"  dew  this  He,  quhilk  is  severit  fra  all  pepill,  to  thair  empire.  For- 

VOL.  I.  K 


74  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

''  thir,  quhen  ye,  be  favour  of  Goddis  lies  conquest  victory,  above 
"  mony  untellabil  comoditeis,  ye  sail  rejose  youre  liberte,  and  con- 
"  quest  glore  immortall  baith  to  yow,  and  your  realme." 

Quhen  Androgens  had  endit  this  orison,  he  was  removit  aside, 
quhill  the  noblis  had  advisit  quhat  was  to  be  done.  Eftev  ripe  de- 
liberation it  was  concludit,  to  send  support  to  Britonis,  to  resist  the 
commoun  danger  appering.  Than  King  Edeir  maid  answer  to  thir 
ambassatouris  on  this  wise :  "  Ye  desire  a  thing,  Aveil  belovit  Bri- 
"  tonis,  baith  honest  and  proffitabill  till  our  common  weill ;  movand 
"  us  to  defend  this  realme,  quhilk  lies  bene  sa  vailyeantly  def endit 
"  be  oure  progenitouris,  fra  extreme  dangeir  thairto  appering.  The 
"  avarice,  riches,  chevalry,  and  pridfull  empire  of  Romanis  ar  schawin 
'  Weill  to  us  be  thaini  that  lies  bene  subdewit  thairto.  And,  forthir, 
"  we  knaw  weill,  gif  the  Romanis  subdew  yow  Britonis  to  tliair  do- 
'  minioun,  tliay  will  invaid  us  nixt,  and  outliir  thrill  us  to  vile  ser- 
"  vitude,  or  ellis  expell  us  out  of  Albioun.  The  dammage  of  Gallis 
"  and  Spanyartis,  fra  quhome  our  anciant  faderis  discendit,  schewis 
"  daily  to  us,  quhat  afflictioun  and  misery  thay  sustene  that  ar  sub- 
"  dewit  to  Romanis.  It  had  bene  mair  honest  to  thaim,  be  my  opi- 
"  nion,  to  have  fouchtin  maist  strangly  to  the  deid  in  defence  of 
"  thair  liberte,  than  to  have  reservit  thair  miserabill  livis  to  sic 
"  schameful  servitude.  We  knaw  the  Britonis  wil  noclit  tine  thair 
"  reahne,  thair  hberte,  and  lawis,  but  Strang  bergane ;  and,  sen  our 
"  common  weill  may  suffer  na  danger  sa  lang  as  ye  Britonis  standis 
"  in  sicker  flrmance,  we  ar,  be  degest  counsall,  profoundly  resolvit 
"  to  jeoperde  our  livis  and  guddis  in  defence  of  yow ;  thinkand  bet- 
"  ter  to  de  vailyeantly  in  that  sort,  gif  sic  thingis  be  plesand  to  the 
"  Goddis,  than  to  remane  at  hame,  suffering  yow,  our  tender  freindis, 
"  to  be  reft  fra  your  landis  and  liberteis ;  and,  finaly,  to  rander  oure 
"  native  Goddis,  wiflis,  and  barnis,  in  our  ennimes  handis.  For  thir 
"  reasonis,  we  will  cans  our  army,  in  maist  weirly  ordinance,  to  be 
*'  send  haistely  to  London,  in  support  of  Cassibilane,  King  of  Bri- 
"  tonis.  We  will  als  require  Gethus,  our  confiderat  brother,  the 
"  King  of  Pichtis,  to  concur  with  us,  be  band  of  alliance,  to  the 
"  same  affect.  And,  we  beleif,  all  thay  that  dwelhs  in  Albioun,  be 
"  respect  thay  have  to  the  common  weill,  will  heir  us  gladly  in  that 


THE  THRID  BUKE.  75 

"  behalf;  for  the  luf  we  beir  unto  our  native  cuntre,  enforcis  us  with 
."  invincibil  body  is  to  assist  thairto."  The  ambassatouris  of  Bri- 
tonis,  rasit  in  esperance  of  gret  fehcite  be  this  answere,  returnit  to 
Cassibilane. 

Als  sone  as  thir  ambassatouris  war  dispaschit,  King  Edeir  send 
two  vailyeant  men,  Cadallane  and  Dowall,  capitanis  of  Brigandis 
and  Lome,  with  x.m  chosin  men,  to  London.  The  cuming  of  thir 
Scottis  was  the  more  thankfull  to  Cassibilane,  that  he  was  to  fecht 
aganis  the  maist  pissant  ennime,  Julius,  dantour  of  the  warld. 

In  the  mene  time,  Cassibilane  was  advertist,  that  Julius  was  ar- 
rivit  within  his  sees,  and  brocht  his  army  on  land ;  and  the  pepill 
fled  that  war  left  to  resist  his  cuming  on  the  see  camp ;  the  nobil 
men,  that  vailyeantly  resistit,  slane ;  and  the  Egill,  quhilk  is  the  an- 
senye  of  Romanis,  prowdly  displayit  on  hicht.  Be  thir  novellis,  na 
litill  affray  was  amang  the  Britonis.  Nochtheles,  Cassibilane  maid 
thame  plesand  consolation,  and  exhortit  thame  vehemently  to  battall, 
for  defence  of  thair  realme  and  hberte,  than*  M'iffis,  barnis,  and  na- 
tive Goddis ;  quhilkis  ar  sa  deir  to  mortall  pepill,  that  but  thaim 
the  lif  of  man  is  nothir  plesand  nor  sicker.  "  Beleif  na  othir  thino-," 
said  he,  "  bot  sicker  victory ;  sen  your  ennimes  persewis  yow  be  na 
"  occasioun  of  injuris,  bot  only  be  thair  insaciabil  avarice,"  The 
Britonis  war  rasit  in  gret  esperance  of  victory  be  cumming  of 
Scottis  and  Pichtis ;  for  thay  had  na  htill  confidence  in  thair  man- 
heid  and  chevalry.  Incontinent,  Cassibilane  went  forthwart  with 
his  hale  power  aganis  the  Romanis.  And  first  he  send  his  horsmen, 
with  sindry  wageouris  in  weir-cartis,  to  breke  the  array  and  ordi- 
nance of  Romanis.  At  the  first  contering,  was  two  smal  incursionis 
be  uncertane  victory ;  bot,  at  last,  baith  the  armyis  junit  with  thair 
hale  power.  FoUowit,  ane  doutsum  battall,  lang  continewing  with  un- 
certane chance :  quhill  at  last,  be  cuming  of  Welchemen  and  Corn- 
wal,  sa  huge  nois  rais  be  reird  and  sowne  of  bellis,  that  hang  on 
thair  bardingis,  that  the  ennimes  war  affrait,  and  finaly  put  to  flicht. 
The  Britonis,  with  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  that  come  to  thair  support, 
followit  on  the  chace  with  sic  fury,  skatterit  but  array,  that  thay  gat 
mair  skaith  than  thay  did  to  thair  ennimes.  The  Romanis  kepit  sic 
ordour  in  thair  fleing,  and  abaid  sa  fast  togidder  at  thair  ansenye, 
that  thay  maid  thaim  of  times  to  renew  battall,  howbeit  thay  war 


76 


CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


nocht  of  poAver  to  resist.  The  Britonis,  wide  skatterit  in  sindr)' 
buschementis,  eschapit  nocht  in  thair  chace  but  gret  slauchter; 
quliill,  at  the  last,  nicht  severit  thaim. 

Als  sone  as  Juhus  persavit  the  chace  endit,  he  gadderit  the  resi- 
dew  of  his  folkis  togidder,  and  send  all  the  woundit  men  to  his 
schippis,  with  purpos  to  revenge  this  outrage  on  the  morrow,  Noch- 
theles  herand,  on  the  morrow,  that  mony  of  his  schippis  war  sa  bro- 
kin  be  violent  tempest,  that  thay  war  not  abill  to  do  him  proffet; 
and  dreidand  that  this  calamite,  fallin  to  his  schippis,  suld  be  na  les 
curage  to  his  ennimes  than  discomfitour  to  his  awin  folkis ;  he  super- 
sedit  his  intent,  quhil  he  saw  ane  time  mair  ganand.  Als  sone  as  he 
had  reparit  his  navy,  he  brocht  all  his  folkis  to  new  strength,  quhare 
the  Britonis  micht  nocht  invaid  him ;  sine  puUit  up  salis  within  the 
nicht,  and  returnit  in  France ;  levand  behind  him  ane  huge  pray  of 
gudchs,  quhilk  micht  nocht  be  turst  for  laik  of  schippis.  The  yeir 
that  Julius  come  first  in  Albion,  was  fra  the  beginning  of  the  warki, 
v.M.c.xxxix  yeris ;  afore  the  incarnation,  lx  yeris ;  in  the  iv  yeir  of 
the  empire  of  King  Edeir. 


Hozo  Julius  returnit  in  Britane,  and  maid  it  tributar  to  Romane 

Ejnpire. 


Uhen  Cesar  was  doung  out  of  Albion  in  this  wise,  the 
Albianis,  that  is  to  say,  Scottis,  Pichtis,  and  Britonis, 
partit  the  spulye  found  in  his  tentis,  be  custum  of  armis, 
rejosing  of  this  glorious  victory ;  and  maid  sacrifice  to 
thair  Goddis,  beleving  perpetually  to  be  deliverit  baith  of  tlie  wcris 
of  Romanis,  and  all  othir  uncouth  pepill,  in  timis  cuming.  Cadal- 
lane  and  Dowall  richely  rewardit  be  Cassibilane,  returnit  with  the 
army  of  Scottis ;  and  schcw  to  King  Edeir  al  thingis  done  in  maner 
afore  rehersit.  Edeir,  rejosing  of  thir  novellis,  commandit  generall 
processionis  and  sacrifice  to  be  maid  in  the  honoure  of  Goddis.  Than 
foUowit  sa  incredibil  luf  and  kindnes  betwix  the  Scottis,  Britonis, 


THE  THRID  BUKE.  77 

and  Pichtis,  that  thay  apperit  to  leif  in  times  cuming  in  perpetuall 
peace. 

In  the  yelr  following,  King  Edeir  past  to  Innernes,  quhare  he,  be 
sindry  marchandis,  was  advertist,  that  Julius  had  pecifyit  France 
to  his  empire,  and  was  makand  provision  for  ane  new  army  to  re- 
turne  in  Britane,  to  revenge  the  injuris  done  to  him  in  the  yeir  afore. 
Edeir,  sone  efter,  send  his  ambassatouris  to  Cassibilane,  to  schaw  the 
hie  dangeris  appering  to  his  realme ;  and  promittit  to  send,  gif  he 
plesit,  x.M  chosin  men  to  his  support, 

Thir  ambassatouris,  at  thair  cuming  to  London,  schew  thir  offeris 
to  Cassibilane.  The  Britonis,  movit  be  vane  arrogance,  that  the 
glore  of  victory  suld  not  be  tane  fra  thaim,  refusit  to  have  ony  sup- 
ple of  Scottis  or  Pichtis ;  and  answerit,  thay  war  nocht  brocht  to  sic 
febilnes,  that  it  was  necessar  to  thaim  to  have  support  al  time  quhen 
ennimes  invadit  thaim,  and  thay  had  the  same  pissance  instantly  be 
quhilk  thay  dantit  the  Romanis  in  the  yeir  afore. 

King  Edeir,  and  his  nobilhs,  had  na  litill  admiration  of  sic  vane 
arrogance,  to  refuse  support  aganis  sa  pissant  ennimes,  the  dantaris 
of  the  warld ;  and  jugit,  thairfore,  the  nobil  realme  of  Britonis,  be 
proude  insolence  for  ane  smal  victory,  to  sustene  gret  dammage. 
Quliilk  thing  was  weiU  sene  in  the  end  of  thir  weris :  for  Julius  re- 
turnit  sone  efter  in  Britane.  At  quhais  cuming,  the  pepill,  that  was 
left  to  resist  him,  affrayit  be  infinite  multitude  of  schippis,  fled  to 
thair  best  refuge.  Nochtheles,  Julius  was  stoutly  assailyet  be  Cas- 
sibilane, and  thre  sindry  timis  put  abak;  bot,  at  last,  Cassibilane 
was  discomfist,  and  all  his  vailyeant  capitanis  tane  or  slane.  Cassi- 
bilane, brokin  ilk  day  with  irrecoverabill  skaithis,  and  disparit  of 
support,  randerit  him  to  Juhus ;  and  gaif  plegis  that  his  realme  sail 
remane  tributar  as  Romane  province.  Cassibilane,  yoldin  in  this 
maner,  was  commandit  to  pay  yeirly  mmm  poundis  of  silver  to  Ro- 
mane pepil,  in  maner  of  tribute. 


78  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


Ofsmdry  message  send  he  Jidius  to  Scottis  and  Plchtis,  andqfthair 
answer.  Of  Julius  Horf;  and  qfsindry  opinionis  concerning  the 
first  Foundaris  thairqf. 

Ls  sone  as  Julius  had  dantit  the  Britonis  in  this  wise, 
he  come  to  London,  quhare  he  was  ressavit  with  gret 
reverence  and  honoure :  and,  quhen  he  had  tarryit  thair 
certane  dayis  to  refresche  his  army,  he  maid  provision 
to  pas  on  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis.  The  motive  of  his  weris  w^as,  be- 
caus  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  maid  support  afore  to  Britonis,  the  first 
time  he  come  in  Britane.  Yit,  afore  lie  maid  o«y  battall  aganis  thaim, 
he  thocht  best  to  assailye  thair  mindis  be  his  ambassatouris,  quhid- 
der  thay  list  have  weir  or  peace :  Peace,  gif  thay  wald  be  subdewit 
to  Romane  empire ;  Weir,  gif  thay  perversly  wald  contempne  the 
same.  Belive,  he  send  ambassatouris  to  the  two  khigis  of  Scottis 
and  Pichtis,  to  scliaw  thaim,  that  all  realmis,  be  favoure,  as  apperit, 
of  the  Goddis,  war  subdewit  to  Romanis.  For  the  Goddis,  be  sin- 
dry  revolutionis  of  time,  has  gevin  the  monarchy  and  empire  of  the 
warld  to  sindiy  pepil ;  that  is  to  say,  to  Affricanis,  Medis,  Persanis, 
Grekis,  and  now  instantly  to  Romanis.  Yew  placis  ar  foundin  in 
the  erd  quhare  the  Romane  chevalry  is  unknawin  ;  for  thay,  be  fa- 
vour of  Goddis,  hes  brocht  all  realmis  and  landis  under  thair  em- 
pire. Thay  have  vincust  Aphrik,  Egypt,  Araby,  Joury,  Perthia, 
Troy,  Thebes,  Asia,  Macedone,  Grece,  France,  and  Spanye ;  and 
now  laitly,  Britane.  Al  regionis  circulit  Avith  the  occeane  sees,  ar 
obeysant  to  Romane  lauis.  Na  pepil  ar  in  erd  that  knawis  nocht 
the  name  of  Romanis.  Thair  is  na  sicker  leving  nor  honeste,  bot 
only  quhare  the  Romanis  lawis  hes  dominioun ;  for  the  senat  and 
pepil  of  Rome  ar  the  port  and  sicker  refuge  of  all  pepil,  quhais  glore 
is,  to  defend  thair  subdittis  and  freindis  in  justice  and  faith.  For 
thir  causis,  it  war  na  litill  honour  to  Scottis  and  Pichtis  to  have  so- 
ciete  with  Romanis,  and  be  callit  the  confiderat  freindis ;  quhilkis 


THE  THRID  BUKE.  79 

hes  sa  mony  cietes  and  realmis  brocht  to  thair  provinces,  sa  mony 
kingis  under  thair  servitude.  This  is  the  command  of  Cesar  and 
Romane  pepill :  quhilk  suld  be  fervently  desirit,  for  singular  com- 
modite,  baith  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis ;  les,  than  thay  avlU  be  rebelland 
to  the  Goddis,  quhilkis  hes  determit  to  bring  the  hale  warld  under 
Romane  empire. 

King  Edeir,  and  his  nobhs,  herand  this  message,  understude  the 
colorit  dissait  of  Romanis;  and,  thairfore,  maid  answer,  sayng, 
Thay  wald  defend  thair  wiffis,  children,  landis,  and  liberteis,  with 
al  the  power  thay  micht,  to  the  uter  end  of  thair  lif ;  and  erar  to 
jeoperde  thaim  to  maist  dangerus  battall,  than  to  leif  in  servitude. 
The  fame  of  Romanis  was  nocht  knawin  to  thaim,  bot  in  sa  far  as 
thay  war  repute,  above  ingine  of  man,  maist  avaricious  theiffis,  and 
reiffaris  of  realmes ;  depriving  kingis  be  fenyeit  causis  and  slichtis, 
and  subdewing  fre  pepill,  be  unjust  battall,  to  servitude.  Forthir, 
gif  the  Romanis,  movit  but  occasion  of  injuris,  bot  only  of  corruppit 
malice,  hapnit  to  invade  thaim  be  injust  battal ;  thay  tuke  the  Goddis, 
quhilkis  ar  punissaris  of  injuris  done  to  innocent  pepill,  in  ^dtnes, 
to  fecht  to  the  deith  for  defence  of  thair  landis,  quhill  ane  of  thaim 
war  left  on  lif.  The  ambassatouris,  havand  sichke  answer  of  the 
Pichtis,  returnit  in  Britane. 

Quhen  Julius  had  herd  this  answer  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  he 
send  to  thaim  his  secund  message,  with  mair  dispiteful  chargis  than 
afore;  as  efter  followis :  "  The  gret  Cesar,  Romane  counsull,  per- 
"  suadis  the  King  Edeir,  and  yow  Scottis,  to  submit  yow  to  Ro- 
"  manis,  the  maist  pissant  pepill  of  the  warld,  in  adventure  ye  bring 
"  youre  self,  be  imprudent  fechting,  to  uter  exterminioun.  Take 
"  exempill,  be  irrecoverabill  scaithis  falling  to  uthir  pepill  for  thair 
"  vane  rebellion.  Behald  the  majeste  of  Romane  pepill !  Consider 
"  the  magnitude  of  thair  name  !  Wil  ye  assailye  thaim  with  chance 
"  of  battall,  as  the  Britonis,  your  nichtbouris,  hes  laitly  done  ; 
"  quhilkis,  be  fuliche  bergane,  ar  outhir  slane,  or  tane  and  brocht 
"  to  perpetuall  servitude  ?  Quhat  pissance  have  ye  in  respect  of 
"  Romanis,  the  concreouris  of  the  warld .''  Have  ye  that  vane  con- 
"  fidence,  that  Romanis,  the  dantouris  of  all  pepill,  may  be  vincust 
"  be  yow,  the  hinmaist  pepill  thairof .''  Or,  beleif  ye,  that  the  warld 
*'  may  be  deliverit  fra  servitude  of  Romanis  be  yow  ?     May  your 


80  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

"  power,  quhilkis  is  nocht  in  respect  of  Romanis,  restore  the  empire 
"  of  sa  mony  kingis  distroyit?  Knaw  ye  nocht,  that  thair  is  mony 
"  Romane  campionis,  na  les  active  than  Cesar,  baith  in  wisdome, 
"  manheid,  and  chevalry,  quhais  illuster  deidis  hes  decorit  all  re- 
"  gionis  quhare  the  sonne  schinis?  And  yit  it  is  more  difficil  to 
"  vincus  Cesar,  him  allone,  than  to  vincus  all  the  warld.  How  is 
"  this  presumptuous  foly  cumin  toyow  ?  Contempne  ye  the  Goddis, 
"  quhilkis,  be  thair  propiciant  favour  to  Romanis,  hes  ordanit  all 
"  regionis  to  be  to  thaim  subdewit  ?  Beleif  ye,  the  Romanis  wil  be 
"  sa  irkit  be  straitnes  of  your  craggis,  montanis,  or  marressis,  or  be 
"  penurite  of  vittallis,  that  thay  may  nocht  abide  in  your  regionis? 
"  Beleif  ye,  to  be  sicker  in  your  said  montanis,  with  your  guddis? 
"  Ye  ar  dissavit,  gif  sic  vane  confidence  be  in  yow ;  for  sic  impedi- 
"  mentis  sal  move  na  mair  the  Romanis  fra  thair  purpos,  than  your 
"  rowmis  war  plentuous,  and  full  of  every  frutis  necessar  to  sustene 
"  thair  weris.  For  the  Romanis  hes  experience  above  ingine  of  man 
"  in  chevalry :  sa  agill  of  thair  bodyis,  that  thay  may  dant  all  thor- 
"  tour  and  difficill  gatis ;  swift  of  rink,  and  reddy  to  every  kind  of 
"  jeoperde  ;  of  skars  meit  and  sleip,  and  accustumat  with  every  dan- 
"  ger  that  may  occurre  in  battall ;  and  sa  provident,  that  thay  sail 
"  caus  vittallis,  gif  neid  beis,  to  be  brocht  to  thaim  out  of  all  re- 
"  gionis  adjacent :  for  Cesar  hes  ane  ripe  wit  for  every  cais  that 
"  may  occurre.  Heirfore,  gif  ye  have  ony  regarde  to  your  weill, — 
"  S^^  y^  ^^  prudent, — eschew  warly ;  that  ye,  by  fuliche  and  luipru- 
"  dent  bergane,  bring  nocht  youre  self,  your  Aviffis,  frendis,  and 
"  barnis,  to  irrecoverable  dammage.  Ye  may  have  now  honest  con- 
"  ditionis  of  peace  afore  the  victory :  quhilk  ye  sal  nocht  obtene 
"  quhen  ye,  be  force  of  battall,  ar  randerit ;  for  than  sail  ye,  for 
"  your  rebellioun,  be  reft  baith  of  your  landis  and  honouris  ;  and, 
"  finaly,  be  brocht  to  sic  disperatioun,  that  ye  sail  nevir  have  espe- 
"  ranee  to  recover  your  liber te."" 

Als  sone  as  thir  wourdis  war  said,  sic  fury  and  nois  rais  amang 
the  Scottis,  for  thay  war  impacient  of  servitude,  that  thir  ambassa- 
touris  had  bene  maist  cruellie  slane,  war  nocht  the  law  of  pepill, 
quhilk  our  forbearis  had  ay  in  maist  reverence,  saffit  thame.  Noch- 
theles,  answer  wes  maid  to  thaim  be  Cadallane,  in  the  kingis  name, 
as  followis  :  "  Suppois  the  Scottis,  be  sum  opinionis,  ar  repute  nocht 


THE  THRID  BUKE.  81 

"  circumspect ;  bot  of  fuliche  and  dull  ingine ;  yit  thay  ar  nocht  mo- 
"  vit  mair  be  Cesaris  plesand  and  dissaitfull  wourdis,  than  be  his 
"  awfull  minassing,  to  lose  thair  landis  and  Uberteis  but  extreme 
"  jeopardie  of  battall :  for  thay  ar  nocht  in  use  to  obey  tyranis,  and 
"  revaris  of  realmes  and  kingdomes ;  bot  onlie  to  obey  thair  native 
"  prince.  And,  thairfore,  be  degest  avisement  and  counsall,  thay 
"  ar  profoundly  resolvit  to  have  na  amite  nor  alliance  with  Romanis, 
"  becaus  thair  fair  wourdis  ar  nocht  but  hid  treason  and  falset :  and 
"  as  to  thair  wrangus  and  injust  weris,  thay  have  the  same  in  plane 
"  diffiance ;  committing  thaim  in  thair  just  actioun,  to  the  protec- 
"  tion  of  Goddis." 

Juhus,  richt  commovit  at  this  answer,  maid  his  ordinance,  but 
tary,  to  dant  thair  rebellion.  In  the  mene  time,  he  gatte  lettris  fra 
Labienus,  his  admirall,  that  Normandis  and  Piccardis,  quhilkis  war 
pecifyit  at  his  departing,  war  rebellit:  attoure,  Carnutes  hes  rasit 
gret  truble  in  France,  and  has  slane  ane  man  namit  Transegerius, 
quhilk  wes  chosin  be  Romanis  to  be  King  of  France,  and  to  hald 
the  same  under  the  empire  of  Romanis.  Julius,  for  feir  of  thir  no- 
vellis,  left  his  coming  in  Scotland;  and,  becaus  vittallis  war  skant 
m  his  army,  and  na  apperance  of  new  vittallis  to  cum  in  Britane,  (for 
It  was  the  winter  season,  quhen  tempestuus  seis  sufferis  na  passage 
of  marchandis,)  he  gaderit  the  residew  of  his  army  togidder,  and 
returnit  in  France ,  levand  behind  him  Britane  tributar  to  his  em- 
pire, and  the  Scottis  litill  abasit  of  his  weris. 

This  historic  of  the  cumming  of  Cesar  in  Britane,  and  subdewing 
of  it  to  his  empire,  nocht  far  discordant  fra  the  wourdis  of  his  Com- 
mentaris,  ar  di-awn  be  us  out  of  Verimond,  Campbell,  and  othir 
authouris.  Bot  it  is  said  in  our  vulgare  croniclis,  that  Julius  come 
to  the  Callendare  wod,  and  kest  down  Camelon,  the  principal]  ciete 
of  Pichtis,  efter  that  the  samin  was  randerit  to  him  ;  sine  left  be- 
hind him,  nocht  far  fra  Carron,  ane  round  hous  of  square  stanis, 
XXIV  cubitis  of  hecht,  and  xii  cubitis  of  breid,  to  be  ane  memory  of 
his  curaing  to  the  place.  Otheris  sayis,  he  usit  this  hous  as  his  tent 
m  al  his  viage,  and  had  it  ay  tursit  with  him  ;  and,  for  that  caus, 
it  was  callit  Julius  Hoif.  Yit,  becaus  na  famous  authouris  makkis 
mention  of  ony  weris  led  be  Julius  aganis  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  we 

VOL.   I.  L 


82  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

lat  thaim  pas,  and  will  infer  na  thing  in  this  werke,  bot  it  only  that 
may  not  be  reprevit.  As  to  this  hous  of  Julius,  it  is  round,  as  we 
may  yit  se,  havand  na  windois  bot  above,  in  maner  of  the  anciant 
tempillis,  quhilkis  ar  yit  sene  in  Rome,  with  benkis  of  stane  round 
about  within.  The  pavement  hes  bene  of  aselar  stanis,  and  the  Egill, 
quhilk  is  the  Romane  ansenye,  craftely  in  it  ingravin ;  bot  now,  be 
roust  of  yeris,  is  worne  away.  In  it  was  ane  huge  stane,  standand 
to  the  south,  on  quhilk  the  Gentilis  maid  thair  sacrifice.  Utheris 
authouris  Avrittis,  this  tempill  was  biggit  be  Vespasiane,  in  honour 
of  Claudius,  Emperour,  and  the  goddes  Victory,  as  the  titill  thair- 
of  schew.  Bot  it  was  cassin  down  be  Edward,  the  first  King  of 
Ingland  of  that  name ;  as  we  wil  schaw  mair  largely  heirefter. 


How  the  tratour  MurJcet  and  Ms  CompUcis  warpunist.  Of  the  deith 
of  Kill g  Edeir.  Of  the  vicious  King  Ewin  the  Thrid;  and  of  his 
lawis  and  deith. 

One  efter  that  this  difiiance  was  send  to  Julius,  King 
Edeir  assemblit  anearmy  frome  allb  oundis  of  his  realme, 
to  resist  the  Romanis ;  for  he  knew  nocht  the  impedi- 
ment of  Juhus  weris.  And,  in  the  mene  time,  quhen 
he  was  gaderit  on  this  wise,  come  Murket,  quhilk  was  nepote  to 
Gillus  afore  rehersit,  and  arrivit  with  mony  galyeonis  in  the  lUs ; 
and  slew,  thair,  baith  wiffis,  barnis,  and  agit  personis,  but  ony  re- 
sistence :  for  all  fensabill  men,  as  said  is,  war  drawin  out  of  thay 
boundis  be  King  Edeir.  Als  sone  as  Edeir  was  advertist  thairof, 
he  send  Cadallane,  capitane  of  Brigance,  with  ane  band  of  armit 
men,  in  the  His;  quhilk,  sone  efter  his  cuming,  brint  all  the  gal- 
yeonis and  baitis,  within  the  nicht,  that  pertenit  to  this  Murket, 
and  on  the  morrow  he  tuke  this  Murket,  and  hinggit  him,  with  his 
complicis,  on  the  gallons. 

King  Edeir  levit  the  residew  of  his  dayis  but  ony  uncouth  or  do- 
mistik  weris ;  and  deceissit  at  Dounstafage,  the  xlvhi  yeir  of  his 


THE  THRID  BUKE.  83 

regne ;  the  xxvi  yeir  of  the  empire  of  August,  Emperour  ;  fra  the 
beginning  of  the  warld,  v.m.c.lxxxiii  yeris.  His  body  was  buryit 
in  Dounstafage ;  and  about  his  sepuUure  war  rasit  mony  hie  pillaris, 
in  memory  of  his  nobil  deidis.  This  Edeir,  for  his  singulare  virtew, 
micht  have  bene  caUit  ane  happy  prince  baith  levand  and  deid  ;  war 
nocht  he  left  his  sonne  Ewin,  the  thrid  of  that  name,  the  maist  vi- 
cius  man  in  erd,  heritoure  to  the  crown. 

This  Ewin,  eftir  deith  of  his  fader,  was  maid  king;  and  was  be- 
levit  be  ilk  man  to  have  followit  the  futesteppis  of  his  fader.  Noch- 
theles,  fra  he  was  declarit  king,  he  began  to  burgeon  in  every  kind 
of  vice ;  so  effeminat  and  soupit  in  lust,  that  he  past  above  the  com- 
mon insolence  of  youth.  He  had  ane  hundreth  concubinis  chosin  of 
the  nobillest  matronis  and  virginis  of  his  cuntre ;  and,  thocht  he  wes 
irkit  of  so  surfet  noumer,  yit  he  couth  nevir  be  saciat.  And,  be  per- 
suasioun  of  limmers  and  harlottis,  quhilkis  he  maid  up  of  nocht  for 
assistance  to  his  vice,  he  banist  ane  certane  of  his  nobillis,  and 
otheris  slew  be  hid  waching,  to  the  fine  he  micht  the  more  esaly 
waik  to  his  lust ;  and  set  his  mind  to  sla  or  banis,  be  fenyeit  cau- 
sis,  all  thaim  that  haitit  his  vice.  This  abhominable  tyrane,  gevin 
on  this  wise  to  maist  terribill  cruelteis,  envennomit  the  cuntre  vi  yeris 
with  na  les  Infelicite  than  schame,  be  covmsall  of  certane  diffamit 
creaturis,  quhilkis,  in  hop  of  proffet,  extollit  and  lovit  all  his  go- 
vernance. Schortlie,  this  tyrane  become  sa  avaritius  and  unthank- 
full,  but  ony  reverence  of  the  lawis  of  Goddis  or  men,  that  he  spul- 
yeit  his  servitouris  of  al  thair  landis,  riches,  and  gudis,  that  thay 
conquest  under  him.  And,  finalie,  he  grew  in  sic  bhnd  fury,  that 
he  nurist  opinle,  within  hous,  theiffis,  to  mak  reiffis  and  heirschippis 
in  the  cuntre  but  ony  punitioun  ;  and  tuk  ane  large  part  thairof  for 
his  assistence.  And,  beside  thir,  and  mony  othir  thingis  unworthy 
to  be  reheirsit,  he  maid  lawis,  that  his  liegis  sal  have  als  mony  wiffis 
as  thay  pleis,  efFering  to  thair  guddis.  Ane  othir  law  he  maid,  that 
wiffis  of  the  commonis  sal  be  fre  to  the  nobillis ;  and  the  lord  of  the 
ground  sail  have  the  madinheid  of  all  virginis  dwelling  on  the  same. 
And  thocht  the  first  two  lawis  wes  revokit  eftir  be  counsall,  yit  this 
last  law  wes  sa  plesand  to  the  young  nobillis,  that  it  couth  nevir  be 
abrogat,  quhill  the  time  of  King  Malcolme  Cammore,  and  his  blist 
queue  Sanct  Margaret;  quhilkis  thocht  the  samin  sa  injurius  baith 


84  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

to  God  and  man,  that  thay  solistit  the  nobilUs  to  revoik  the  said  law, 
takand  thah-fore  ane  goldin  penny,  callit  the  marchetis :  quliilk  is 
yit  payit  to  the  lord  of  the  ground,  quhen  virginis  ar  to  be  maryit, 
in  redemption  of  thair  honour  and  chaistite. 

Bot  we  wil  returne  to  Ewin ;  quhais  horribill  vices  wes  sa  drevin 
in  every  mannis  eir,  that  the  nobillis  thocht  this  effeminat  monstoure, 
that  wes  gevin  to  sic  cruelte  and  vices,  unworthy  to  be  thair  prince ; 
and  maid,  thairfore,  ane  haiste  conspiratiovm  aganis  him.  Ewin, 
nochtwithstanding  this  conspiratioun,  come  with  displayit  baner  to 
die  feild,  with  ane  certane  evill  arrayit  men.  Nochtheles,  he  wes 
sone  vincust  and  tane.  Eftir  lang  consultation,  it  wes  commandit 
be  the  nobillis,  that  he  sal  be  degradit  of  his  kingdome,  and  remane 
in  perpetual  prison.  It  wes  ordanit  als,  that  Cadallane,  during  his 
life,  sal  be  governour.  Bot,  in  the  first  nicht  that  he  wes  put  in  pre- 
son,  he  wes  slane  be  ane  young  child ;  quhilk  traistit,  becaus  he  wes 
odious  to  the  pepill,  to  get  reward  for  his  slauchter.  Bot,  on  the  mo- 
row,  this  child  wes  justifyit  in  presence  of  mony  pepil. 

This  end  maid  the  unhappy  tyrane.  King  Ewin ;  and  deceissit, 
the  VII  yeir  of  his  regne,  but  ony  airis  of  his  body ;  the  xxxii  yeir 
of  the  empire  of  August. 


Of  King  Metdlane.  Of  the  nat'ivite  of  Crist,  our  Salviour.  Of  the 
gret  fouth  of  Poetise  Oratouris,  and  Philosophouris,  that  furisit 
in  Ms  time. 


Q^^^^^jej-  Ftir  the  deith  of  King  Ewin,  the  nobillis  chesit  Metel- 
"ipT"'^  ^ane,  quhilk  wes  nepote  to  King  Edeir,  gottin  be  his 
-*^  ^  brodir  Carron,  to  be  king.  This  Metellane  wes  the 
®tmKfQ|.  maist  humill  prince  that  rang  above  the  Scottis,  to  his 
days  ;  havand  na  uncouth  nor  domistik  weris  during  his  time,  and 
governit  all  materis,  baith  at  hame  and  afeld,  with  gret  felicite. 
He  wes  ane  mercifull  prince  to  his  subditis,  and  richt  religious,  eftir 
the  rite  of  thay  dayis.     He  tuk  gret  labouris  to  abrogat  the  cursit 


THE  THRID  BUKE.  85 

lawis  of  King  Ewin ;  nochttheles,  he  wes  so  faschit  be  inopertune  so- 
licitation of  his  nobillis,  specially  thay  that  war  gevin  to  thair  lust, 
that  he  wes  constranit  to  desist. 

About  this  time  come  ambassatouris  of  Romanis  to  Kymbalyne, 
King  of  Britonis ;  thankand  him  of  his  perseverance  in  peace  and 
amite  with  the  senat  and  pepill  of  Rome  ;  and  schew  to  him,  that 
the  hail  warld  wes  that  time  in  peace,  with  more  tranquillite  than 
evir  wes  sene  in  ony  time  afore ;  and  exhortit  the  Britonis  thairfore, 
be  example  of  othir  pepill,  to  keip  peace  and  concord  amang  thaim, 
but  occasioan  of  ony  civill  or  uncouth  weris ;  for  sic  doingis  perte- 
nit  baith  to  the  felicite  of  August,  Empriour,  and  all  othir  pepill. 
Thir  same  ambassatouris  come  sone  eftir  to  King  Metellane,  with 
sic  hke  exhortatioun.  King  Metellane  heirand,  be  narratioun  of 
tliir  ambassatouris,  that  the  farrest  pepill  of  the  orient  socht  amite 
of  the  Romanis,  and  send  sindry  goldin  crownis  to  August,  Empri- 
oure ;  he  thocht  he  wald  nocht  be  so  unplesand  to  contempne  the 
majeste  and  magnitude  of  Romane  pepill ;  and  send  thairfore,  with 
tliir  ambassatouris,  sindry  riche  jowellis,  to  be  ofFerit  to  August,  Em- 
prioure,  and  othir  Romane  Goddis  in  the  Capitol.  Be  this  way 
King  Metellane  conquest  sicker  amite  of  Romanis,  quhilk  mony 
yeris  eftir  indurit.  Of  this  message,  send  be  August  to  the  Britonis, 
writtis  Strabo,  in  his  buk  of  geography,  callit,  The  Discriptioun  of 
the  Erd;  in  quhilk  is  schawin  the  situation  of  Britane,  with  the 
maneris  of  the  inhabitantis  thairof. 

The  warld  beand  thus  in  peace,  Christ,  our  Salvioure,  wes  borne 
of  the  Virgine  Mary,  douchter  of  Anna  and  Joachim,  in  Bathelem, 
cite  of  Jowry,  the  same  time  quhen  the  scheiphirdis  herd  the  an- 
gellis  sing,  quhen  the  thre  kingis,  gidit  be  the  stern  e,  come  to  the 
place  quhare  our  Salviour  wes  borne.  Mony  uncouth  and  strange 
mirachs  apperit  in  the  time  of  his  nativite,  as  Haly  Writ  schawis. 
His  nativite  fell  in  the  x  yeir  of  the  regne  of  Metellane ;  fra  the  be- 
ginning of  the  realme  of  Scottis,  ccc.xxx  yeris ;  the  xlii  yeir  of  the 
empire  of  August;  fra  the  beginning  of  the  warld,  v.m.c.xcix  yeris. 
King  Metellane  rang  mony  yeris,  in  gud  peace,  doing  na  man  in- 
jure ;  and  sa  happy  and  plesand  to  his  subditis,  that  his  fame  wes 
patent  throw  all  boimdis  of  Albioun.     He  deceissit,  the  xxxtx  yeir 


S6  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

of  his  regne ;  the  xiv  yeir  of  Tiberius,  Empriour ;  fra  the  nativite 
of  Crist,  XXIX  yeris. 

In  this  time  wes  in  Rome,  the  prince  of  Latine  poetis,  Virgill ; 
Horace,  Ovide,  Tullius,  Marcus  Varro,  Strabo,  Titus  Livius,  Sa- 
lustius,  with  mony  othir  naturall  and  morall  philosophouris.  Sic 
fouth  of  virtew  and  letteris  multiplyit  in  thay  dayis  be  fehcite  of 
the  birth  of  Crist,  the  gevar  of  science  and  grace ;  for  apperandlie  wes 
nevir  sene  sa  mony  eloquent  poetis  and  profound  clerkis  levand  at 
anis  as  wes  at  that  time,  quhen  God,  clothit  with  nature  of  man, 
wes  sene  in  the  erd. 

Bot  we  will  returne  to  our  historic. 


Of  King  Caratak,  and  how  he  dantit  sindi'y  Conspiratouris  of  his 
Reahne.  Hozo  the  Britonis,  rehelland  aganis  the  Romanis,  war 
discomfist ;  and  qfthair  Massaige  send  to  the  Scottis. 

Etellane  micht  have  ben  callit  maist  happy  prince 
that  evir  rang  above  the  Scottis,  war  nocht  he  decessit 
but  airis  of  his  body  :  throw  quhilk  the  crown  come  to 
Caratak,  son  of  the  vailyeant  Cadallane  afore  rehersit ; 
for  he  wes  nepot  to  Metellane,  gottin  of  his  sister  Europea.  Cara- 
tak, eftir  his  coronatioun,  ressavit  the  huge  treasour  and  riches  ga- 
derit  be  King  Metellane ;  and  excedit  all  the  pepill  in  Albion  in 
nches.  Nocht  lang  eftir,  he  past  throw  all  the  boundis  of  his  realme : 
sine  past  with  ane  army  in  the  His ;  for  the  capitane  thairof  wes  re- 
bellit  aganis  him.  Nochtheles,  he  peacefyit  all  truble  that  rais  be 
his  seditioun,  and  punist  the  principall  movaris  thairof  to  the  deith. 
All  thingis  peacefyit  on  this  maner,  he  returnit  in  Albioun ;  sine 
])ast  to  Carrik,  quhilk  wes  the  principal  ciete  of  that  schire. 

Quhil  sic  materis  war  dressit  in  Scotland,  deceissit  Kymbalyne, 
King  of  Britonis ;  quhilk,  in  his  youth,  wes  sa  familiar  to  August, 
that  he  held  ay  the  Britonis  at  the  opinion  of  Romanis.  Eftir  quhais 
deith,  Guiderius  wes  maid  king.    This  Guiderius,  seing  the  realme 


THE  THRID  BUKE.  ST 

stabillit  to  him,  thocht  hevy,  that  the  Britonis  sulci  leif  under  servi- 
tude of  Romanis.  Movit  heirfore  be  vane  esperance  to  recover  his 
hberte,  he  convenit  his  nobiUis  to  ane  counsall,  quhare  he,  be  lang 
orison,  complenit,  that  his  reahne  and  hegis  war  haldin  under  ser- 
vitude of  Romanis ;  and  nocht  onlie  the  said  Romanis  held  all  the 
strenthis  of  his  cuntre  garnist  with  sodjouris,  bot  resset  his  rebellis, 
and  wald  nocht  restore  the  pledgis  that  war  gevin  to  thaim,  bot 
causit  thaim  to  waist  thair  dayis  in  captivite  and  preson.  Best  is, 
thairfore,  to  rebell  aganis  the  Romanis,  and  sufFre  na  langer  thair 
yoke  of  servitude.  The  Britonis,  inflammit  be  thir  wordis,  con- 
cludit,  with  generall  consent,  to  suffer  na  langer  the  servitude  of  Ro- 
manis. Incontinent,  thay  ruschet  to  harnes,  and  slew  all  the  Ro- 
manis that  war  found,  or  takin  utouth  thair  munitionis  or  strenthis. 
In  the  mene  time  Guiderius  gaderit  ane  army,  to  distroy  all  the 
garisoun  of  Romanis,  afore  ony  nois  of  his  rebellion  war  knawin  in 
Rome.  Nochtheles  Claudius,  Empriour,  wes  sone  advertist  thairof, 
and  send  two  capitanis,  namit  Aulus  Plancius,  and  Gneus  Sentius, 
iu  Britane,  with  mony  Romane  legionis,  to  dant  the  said  rebellioun. 
Thir  capitanis,  at  thair  cumming  in  Britane,  reparit  al  strenthis  and 
munitionis,  quhilkis  war  than  under  the  Romane  obeisance,  with  new 
vittallis,  sodjouris,  and  utheris  sic  lik  ordinance,  to  resist  the  Bri- 
tonis ;  and,  that  thay  suld  not  be  segit  within  thair  strenthis,  thay 
brocht  thair  army  to  the  planis,  to  be  reddy  for  battall  quhen  thair 
ennimes  hst  invaid  thame.  Not  lang  eftir,  Guiderius  assailyeit  the 
Romanis  with  arrayit  battal ;  notheles,  the  victory  succedit  to  the 
Romanis :  the  Britonis  eschapit,  with  smal  dammage,  be  cuming 
of  the  nicht.  Than  folowit  mony  incursionis,  with  gret  slauchter 
baith  of  Romanis  and  Britonis,  continewing  all  the  simer.  At  the 
cuming  of  winter,  the  Romanis  held  thaim  within  thair  munitionis 
and  tentis. 

About  this  time  come  certane  ambassatouris,  fra  Guiderius,  to  Ca- 
ratak.  King  of  Scottis,  and  said  in  this  maner :  "  I  think  it  reason- 
"  abil,  maist  illuster  prince,  that  thay  that  seikis  support  of  strange 
"  and  uncouth  realmis,  as  we  now  do,  gif  na  amite  nor  kindnes  be 
"  deservit  be  thaim  for  gud  dedis,  to  schaw  than  the  thing  that  thay 
"  desire  to  be  honest  and  proffitabill.  For  thir  reasonis,  we  Bri- 
"  tonis,  ambassatouris  of  King  Guiderius,  opprest  with  hevy  weiris. 


88  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

and  destitute  of  all  supple  and  help,  saif  only  of  yow  Scottis  and 
Pichtis,  ar  cumin  humilly  to  yow.  Treuth  is,  the  Romane  pepill, 
quhilk  daily  invadis  us  with  insufferabil  injuris,  ar  sare  ennimes ; 
richt  pissant,  baith  in  riches  and  chevalry,  above  the  estimatioun 
of  men.  Nochtheles,  thay  may  be  vincust,  for  Cesar,  the  vail- 
yeant  Emperoure,  be  your  support  and  virtew,  was  doung  baith 
out  of  our  reahne  and  youris,  howbeit  all  France,  Spanye,  Al- 
mane,  Grece,  Asia,  Egypt,  and  Aphrik,  obejdt  to  him :  and  thir 
Romanis,  that  now  invadis  us,  ar  bot  the  refuse  of  Cesaris  army. 
And,  but  dout,  thay  may  be  vincust ;  to  your  gretter  honour,  gif 
the  Goddis  be  favourabil,  that  thay  caU  thaimself,  be  proude  in- 
solence, Lordis  of  the  Warld,  and  yow,  the  hinmest  pepill  thair- 
of.  And,  to  ding  thir  oure  commoun  ennimes  out  of  Albioun, 
we  desire  youre  support,  sen  the  samin  may  nocht  be  done  be  oure 
pissance ;  the  quhilk  thing  gif  ye  do,  in  remembrance  of  your  an- 
ciant  kindnes  and  amite,  supporting  us  now  in  oure  maist  adver- 
site  and  dangere,  ye  sail  conques,  above  youre  honest  victory,  in- 
terminabill  glore  and  honoure  to  yow  and  your  posterite  :  First, 
becaus  ye  help  us,  quhilkis  ar  nocht  persewaris  bot  only  defendaris ; 
for  na  thing  may  be  sa  honest  and  plesand  amang  levand  creatouris, 
as  defend  the  actioun  of  common  liberie  and  native  Goddis :  Se- 
cundly,  ye  sail  deliver  youre  realme  and  pepill  fra  liie  dangeir 
thairto  appering ;  for  the  Romanis,  your  deidly  ennimes,  intendis 
to  subdew  us,  that  the  way  may  be  the  more  patent  to  yow.  And 
sen  thir  thingis  ar  manifest  to  yow,  maist  vailyeant  campionis,  gif 
ye  have  respect  to  the  weil  of  yourself,  or  your  landis,  garnis  youre 
realme  with  all  maner  of  munitionis  aganis  the  Romanis ;  quhilk 
thing  may  be  esaly  done,  gif  ye  and  Pichtis  equaly  concur  with 
us  aganis  ovu'  common  ennimes.  For  the  samin,  as  we  dare  bauld- 
ly  afFerme,  saU  pertene  na  Ics  to  youre  common  weill  than  to  ouris ; 
for  quhen  the  Romanis  hes  vincust  us  in  battal,  spulyeit  us  of  our 
guddis,  and  subdcwit  oure  realme  in  forme  of  province,  thay  will 
he  the  more  abil  to  subdew  you  to  thair  empire.  Now  is  the  time 
to  assailye  our  ennimes  in  battall;  quhill  we  have  strenth,  and 
quhil  we  maj,  be  help  of  othir,  be  sufficient  to  withstand  thaim. 
Suthly,  gif  the  Albianis  will  equaly  concur  togidder,  all  of  ane 
mind,  thay  sail  draw  als  mekill  fra  the  Romanis,  as  thay  have  won 


THE  THRID  BUKE.  89 

"  on  ony  othir  pepill.  Heirfore,  lat  the  pissance  of  Scottis,  Britonis, 
"  and  Pichtis,  equaly  concur  togider  to  defend  the  common  h- 
"  berte.  Lat  us  tak  our  wappinnis  at  anis,  to  resist  the  injure  ap- 
"  pering.  And  thocht  we  war  vincust,  (quhilk  God  forbeid  !)  it  war 
"  na  reproche  to  us ;  for  than  we  ar  not  vincust  with  ane  pepil,  bot 
"  with  the  pissance  of  the  warld :  and,  gif  we  be  victorius,  as  our 
"  just  actioun  fermely  belevis,  the  victory  sail  be  na  les  glore  and 
"  proiFet  to  yow  than  to  us,  and  ye  sal  be  perpetually  estemit  with 
"  all  pepill." 


Of  CarataMs  answer.  How  the  Britonis  soltstit  Normanis  and  Pi- 
cardis  to  rebellion.  And  Jiow  the  said  Britonis  "war  discomfist  he 
Romanis,  and  thair  King  slane. 

Aratak  maid  ansuer  to  this  message  in  maner  follow, 
ing:  "  Had  ye  Britonis  nocht  refusit  oure  supporte, 
"  frely  ofFerit  to  yow,  quhen  Juhus,  the  Romane  coun- 
"  sull,  invadit  yow  with  injust  battall,  it  suld  nocht  have 
'"  bene  necessar  to  yow  this  day  to  seik  support  at  us,  nor  yit  suld  it 
"  have  ben  necessar  to  us  to  rais  our  army  aganis  sa  pissant  ennimes ; 
"  for  than,  be  juning  of  al  our  pissance  togidder,  we  micht  esaly 
"  have  vincust  thaim,  and  bene  deliverit  of  all  dredoure,  rejosing 
"  oure  rowmis  in  Albion  with  perpetuall  rest.  Yit  better  is,  as  thay 
"  say,  lait  than  nevir  thrif.  It  is  nocht  now  to  be  devisit,  how  we 
"  micht  have  dantit  the  Romanis  in  time  bigane ;  bot  how  we  may 
"  eschew  the  hie  dangeir  now  appering.  Ye  complane,  that  ye  ar 
"  injustly  invadit  be  ane  riche  pepil,  richt  desirus  to  have  dominion, 
"  and  to  reif  othir  mennis  guddis.  Ye  have  bene  subdewit  to  thaim 
"  niony  yeris,  liiFand  under  thair  servitude,  in  your  awin  defalt ;  for 
"  ye  ar  devidit  amang  yourself,  be  seditionis  intestine :  and,  sa  lang 
"  as  ye  stand  so,  your  common  weill  sail  never  be  fre.  Forthir, 
"  your  munitionis  and  strenthis  ar  stufRt  with  Romane  sodjouris, 

VOL    I.  M 


90  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

"  and  your  planis  ar  garnist  with  thair  tentis.  We  heir  als,  that 
"  Claudius  Cesar  and  Vaspasiane  ar  advertist  of  your  instant  rebel- 
"  houn,  and  reddy  to  cum,  with  mony  legionis  of  pepil,  in  your 
"  realme.  I  think,  thairfore,  sen  ye  ar  brokin  with  sa  many  cala- 
"  miteis  and  battaUis,  howbeit  the  haill  power  of  Albion  war  con- 
"  currant  with  yow,  ye  cannot  resist  sa  pissant  ennimes  for  this  time ; 
"  les  than  the  Goddis  war  contrarius  to  thaim.  Best  is,  for  thir 
"  causis,  to  meis  all  seditionis  amang  youreself,  superseding  youre 
"  weris  for  ane  seasone ;  and  set  your  laubour,  with  maist  crafty  in- 
"  gine,  to  transport  this  dangerus  battall  on  France.  To  wirk  this 
"  prudently,  ye  man  solist  the  Normandis,  Picardis,  Bartaneris,  Al- 
"  manis,  with  all  uthir  pepill  hand  on  the  bordour  of  France,  to  re- 
"  bell  aganis  Romanis,  in  esperance  to  recover  thair  hberte;  and 
"  promit,  gif  thay  will  assist  thairto,  to  support  thaim  with  schippis, 
"  weirmen,  gold,  and  uthir  necessaris  pertenand  to  thair  weris.  Ye 
"  man  eik  be  confiderat  with  all  pepill  that  hatis  the  Romanis;  and, 
"  gif  ye  do  this  weill,  ye  sail  eschew  this  battall,  that  the  Romanis 
"  intendis  to  move  on  yow,  and  convert  it  on  France.  Thus  sail 
"  baith  ye  and  Ave  be  dehverit  of  all  fere  of  ennimes,  and  leif  the 
"  remanent  of  this  yeir  in  quiete;  and  the  mair  abill  the  nixt  yeir 
"  for  battall.  And,  gif  thair  be  na  way  to  eschew  this  maist  dan- 
"  gerus  battall,  than  think  I  best  to  assemble  all  the  pepill  of  Al- 
''  bion  togidder,  to  fecht  with  honest  battall  to  the  deith,  but  ony 
•'  respect  to  our  lif,  bot  allanerly  to  our  glore  and  honour ;  for  na 
"  pepil  may  de  mair  honestly,  than  fechtand  for  thair  liber te  and 
"  native  Goddis  aganis  the  lordis  of  the  warld.""  The  ambassatouris 
of  Britonis,  rasit  in  esperance  of  gud  fortoun  be  this  answer,  returnit 
to  Guiderius  in  Britane. 

Quhen  Guiderius  had  hard  this  wise  counsall  of  Caratak,  he  send 
his  ambassatouris  to  persuaid  the  Normandis,  Picardis,  Bartaneris, 
and  all  othir  pepill  of  the  see  costis,  to  rebeU  aganis  the  Romanis ; 
saying,  na  thing  was  more  abhominabill  to  fre  pepiU,  than  contrar 
thair  native  lawis,  to  be  subdewit  to  Romanis ;  quhilkis  war  ane 
proude  and  cruel  pepill,  daily  exercing,  be  thair  tyranny,  sa  many 
new  and  intollerabiU  conditionis  of  servitude  on  the  plegis  of  sub- 
dewit realmis,  that  na  maner  of  deith  suld  be  refusit  to  recover  thair 
liberte ;  but  quhilk,  the  lif  of  man  is  nocht.     For  thir  reasonis,  na 


THE  THRID  BUKE.  91 

thing  was  sa  gud,  as  the  pepill,  throw  all  boundis  of  France,  to  re- 
bell  aganis  Romanis,  and  sla  thair  sodjouris  in  all  partis  quhare  thay 
micht  be  apprehendit.  And,  to  gif  the  more  hortatioun  thairto,  thay 
schaw,  how  all  kingis  of  Albion  sal  assist  to  thaim,  and  support 
thaim  with  money,  vittallis,  schippis,  weirmen,  and  all  othir  neces- 
saris  refering  thairto :  and  schew,  how  the  Romanis,  quhilkis  war 
laitly  cuming  in  Britane,  hais  tint  all  thair  horsmen,  and  the  reme- 
nant  brokin  with  sic  calamite,  that  thay  ar  outhir  chasit  to  the  see, 
or  ellis  to  thair  strenthis.  The  cieteyouris  of  Tervana,  in  Flanderis, 
to  quhom  thu*  ambassatouris  first  come,  richt  desirus  to  recover  thair 
liberte,  refusit  nocht  thir  ofFeris :  bot  the  charge  was  so  hie,  that 
thay  couth  nocht  answer  quhill  thay  war  advisit  with  thair  nicht- 
bouris :  and  prayit  thaim  to  keip  thair  peticionis  secrete ;  for,  gif 
the  samin  war  divulgat,  al  thair  plegis,  that  war  gevin  afore  to  the 
Romanis,  sail  be  cruelly  tormentit :  and,  to  remove  all  suspitioun, 
prayit  thaim,  to  remane  in  Calice  quhill  thay  war  resolvit  in  this 
mater.  Thus  abaid  thir  ambassatouris  of  Britane  certane  day  is  in 
Calice,  abiding  thair  answer. 

In  the  mene  time  Guiderius  was  advertist,  that  Aulus  Plaucius 
had  rasit  his  camp,  and  distroyit  al  the  landis  with  fire  and  swerd 
that  stud  at  his  opinion.  Guiderius,  seand  na  way  to  eschew  his 
ennimes,  gaderit  all  his  pepill  togidder  in  arrayit  battall,  and  closit 
thaim  with  wanis  and  cartis  on  every  side,  except  the  part  fornens 
thair  ennimes,  to  that  fine,  that  nane  of  thaim  sal  have  esperance  to 
fle ;  sine  put  the  wiffis  in  the  said  wanis  and  cartis,  to  exhort  thair 
husbandis  to  fecht  vailyeantly  for  thair  liffis  and  landis.  On  the  to- 
ther  side,  Plaucius  devidit  his  army  in  thre  battallis ;  and,  be  blast 
of  trumpet,  come"  sa  fersly  on  the  Britonis,  that  thay  had  na  space 
to  schute  thair  arrowis.  Than  the  Britonis  flang  thair  bowis  fra 
thaim,  and  faucht  with  thau-  swerdis.  The  wiflfis  exhortit  thaim  with 
loude  cryis  to  deliver  thaim  of  Romane  servitude.  This  battall  was 
cruelly  fochtin ;  bot,  at  last,  the  Britonis  war  discomfist,  and  Gui- 
derius, thair  king,  slane.  Mony  of  all  the  wemen  war  smorit  in  the 
cartis,  be  preis  of  thaim  that  fled.  The  chais  ceissit  nocht  quhill 
the  Britonis  war  drevin  to  the  rever  of  Garieme,  vi  milis  fra  the 
place  quhare  the  feild  was  discomfist.    This  victory  was  nocht  richt 


92  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND, 

plesand  to  Romanis,  for  Gneus  Sencius,  with  mony  othir  Romane 
nobillis,  war  slane. 

Als  sone  as  this  unhappy  battall  was  schawin  in  France,  it  maid 
all  the  pepill  thairof  disparit  to  recover  thair  hberte ;  and  so  the 
ambassatouris  quhilkis  war  send,  as  said  is,  in  France,  returnit  but 
ony  expedition  of  thair  message. 

This  history,  as  we  have  writtin,  is  colleckit  out  of  Godofryde, 
writar  of  Inghs  historyis ;  and  out  of  Veramond,  Johne  Campbell, 
Cornelius  Tacitus,  and  Eutropius. 


How  Claudius  Emprioure,  come  in  Britane,  and  suhdewit  OrTcnay 
to  his  Empii-e.  Of  Sand  Peteris  first  cuming  in  Italy.  And  of' 
the  assumptioun  of  the  glorius  Virgine  Mary. 

Chort  timeefter,  Claudius,  Empriour,  and  Vespasiane, 
ane  man  of  singulare  virtew,  arrivit,  with  mony  legionis 
of  pepill,  in  Britane.  The  Britonis  herand  his  cuming 
war  gretumly  affrayit :  nochtheless,  be  publik  advise- 
ment, thay  send  oratouris  to  excuse  thaim,  saying,  the  offence  com- 
mittit  aganis  the  Romanis  was  done  only  be  evil  counsall ;  and  thay 
wald,  thaii-fore,  not  only  repare  all  injuris  to  thaim  done,  hot  be 
obeisant  to  the  empire  of  Romanis  and  thair  lawis  in  times  cuming. 
Claudius  than  commandit  thaim  to  geif  plegis  for  observation  thair- 
of; sine  commandit  all  the  princes  and  lordis  of  Britane  to  cum 
afore  him  aganis  ane  certane  day,  with  intimatioun,  gif  thay  did 
nocht,  he  suld  persew  thaim  to  the  deith.  The  Britonis  knawing 
na  refuge,  gaif  plegis,  and  come  to  London  as  he  desirit.  At  last, 
quhen  Claudius  had  demandit  thaim,  quhy  thay  brak  thair  faith, 
thay  fell  on  kneis,  confessand  thair  offence,  and  prayit  him,  sen  thay 
war  sufficiently  punist  be  the  Goddis,  to  ressave  thaim  againe  to  his 
mercy,  and  saif  thair  liffis,  under  quhat  condition  or  servitude  he 
plesit ;  and  maid  solempne  aithis  never  to  rebell  in  times  cuming, 


THE  THRID  BUKE.  93 

and,  gif  thay  failyeit,  al  vengeance  in  erd  to  fal  on  thaim,  and  thair 
posterite.  Sum  of  the  Romanis  gave  counsall  to  Claudius,  to  punis 
thair  rebelhoun,  and  to  sla  the  principal  movaris  thairof,  othu-wayis 
the  Britonis  micht  nocht  be  haldin  at  his  opinion.  Nochtheles,  Ves- 
pasiane  persuadit  him,  be  mony  reasonis,  to  mercy ;  for  ane  prince 
but  mercy  may  well  be  dred,  bot  nevir  luffit.  Als,  na  thing  perte- 
nit  sa  raekill  to  majeste  of  Romane  pepil  as  to  have  mercy  on  thair 
subdittis,  and  defend  thaim  fra  al  injure  of  ennimes;  for,  be  that 
way,  the  empire  of  Romanis  was  ekit,  and  suld  indure  be  the  samin 
way  to  the  end  of  the  warld.  Thir  wordis  of  Vespasian  mesit  the 
empriour  in  sic  maner,  that  he  chesit  erar  to  be  namit  ane  merciful 
prince,  than  ane  vengeabil  tyrane.  In  the  mene  time,  he  began  to 
treit  of  materis  concerning  the  administratioun  of  Britonis:  and, 
first,  he  maid  Arviragus  king  of  Britonis,  that  the  crown  sail  re- 
mane  in  the  native  blude ;  for  he  was  Prince  of  Walls,  and  bruthir 
to  Guiderius,  afore  slane.  He  ordanit  Plautius  to  be  governour  as 
afore,  and  M.  TrebelHus  to  be  thesaurar ;  and  commandit  thaim,  to 
stuf  all  the  strenthis  and  townis  of  Britane  with  Strang  gareson  of 
weirmen;  to  minister  justice  be  the  lawis;  to  hald  the  Britonis  in 
peace,  and  defend  thaim  fra  all  injure  of  pepill  liand  thaim  about, 
specially  fra  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  quhilkis  wer  ane  pepill  full  of 
chevalry,  and  impacient  of  servitude:  and  to  seik  na  occasion  of 
weir  aganis  thaim ;  and,  gif  it  war  necessar  to  half  battal,  to  haif 
than  stout  wachis,  baith  at  hame  and  afeild ;  havand  na  les  respect 
to  keip  the  Britonis  at  the  opinion  of  Romanis,  than  to  eik  thair 
empire :  and,  finaly,  he  exhortit  the  nobillis  of  Britane,  to  remember 
the  affliction  falhng  to  thaim  be  thair  rebellion,  and  to  keip  thair 
faith  in  time  cuming,  for  the  weill  of  thaimself,  thair  barnis,  and 
gudis.  Sic  thingis  done,  the  Britonis  returnit  hame ;  and  gaif 
thankis  to  Vespasiane,  for  his  humanite  schawin  to  thaim. 

Efter  this,  Claudius  Cesar,  desiring  sum  triumphe  of  honouris 
afore  his  returning  to  Rome,  thocht  expedient  to  vesy  Orknay,  the 
last  Ihs  within  the  occiane  sees.  The  motive  of  his  weris  aganis 
thaim  was,  becaus  thay  supportlt  the  Albianis  in  the  battall  afore  re- 
hersit  aganis  the  Romanis.  Schort  time  efter,  Claudius,  providit 
with  all  necessaris,  come  out  of  Britane  with  prosper  windis,  and 
passit  throw  Pentland  Firth  to  Orknay,  quhare  he  was  neir  perist. 


94  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

Nane  of  the  Orknay  men  was  seiie  at  his  first  cuming ;  for,  quhen 
thay  saw  sa  huge  flote  of  schippis  arrivit  within  thair  sees,  thay  hid 
thaim  in  cavernis.  Claudius,  findand  this  He  desert,  went  to  Kirk- 
wall, and  send  his  scurriouris  to  spy  the  nature  of  the  cuntre,  and 
pepil  thairof ;  and,  fra  he  was  advertist  that  the  same  was  full  of 
every  bestiall  and  fouhs  necessar  to  sustene  the  lif  of  man,  he  thocht 
the  same  sufficient  eneuch  to  decore  his  triumphe.  On  the  morrow, 
herand  that  Ganus,  King  of  Orknay,  was  in  ane  castell  nocht  xii 
milis  fra  his  army,  he  send  ane  cumpany  of  weirmen  to  sege  the  said 
castell.  And  quhen  thir  men  war  passand  forthwart  to  the  same 
effect,  thay  persavit  sindry  rude  pepil  of  that  cuntre  cummand  fra 
the  covis,  quhare  thay  war  hid  all  the  nicht,  and  passing  to  the 
montanis.  Thir  rude  pepill  war  astonist  be  sicht  of  Romanis :  noch- 
theles,  seand  na  refuge,  thay  facht  cruelly  ane  quhile ;  bot,  at  last, 
thay  war  all  slane  or  tane.  The  Romanis,  rejosing  of  this  victory, 
laid  ane  sege  to  the  castel.  At  last,  quhen  King  Ganus  had  de- 
baitit  lang  time,  and  saw  na  rescours,  he  randrit  the  castell,  and  was 
brocht  presoner,  with  his  wifFe  and  children,  to  Claudius.  Than 
Claudius  pullit  up  salis,  and  arrivit  at  Calice ;  quhare  he  abaid  cer- 
tane  time,  quhill  his  army  wer  refreschit ;  sine  returnit  to  Rome : 
and  led  Ganus,  with  his  wif,  barnis,  and  the  plegis  of  Britonis,  in 
his  triumphe. 

This  history  of  Claudius  cumming  in  Britane  is  drawin  out  of 
Suetonius,  Eutropius,  Beda,  Campbel,  and  Cornelius  Ireland. 

The  same  time,  Sanct  Peter,  the  Appostill,  come  out  of  Antio- 
chia  to  Italy,  efter  that  he  had  ereckit  mony  kirkis  in  Asia ;  quhare 
he,  prechand  the  evangell  of  Crist,  began  to  found  the  Cristen  faith. 
About  this  time,  was  the  glorius  and  bhssit  Vergine  Mary,  Moder 
of  God,  tane  with  body  and  saule  to  hevin :  in  the  v  yeir  of  the  em- 
pire of  Claudius ;  efter  the  incarnatioun,  xlvii  yeris. 


H 

^^ 

1 

A 

1 

THE  THRID  BUKE.  95 


//■oK)  iiwcZn/  Prmcw  o/Britane,  conspirand  aganis  Jrviragus,  zoer 
discomjist.  How  the  confderat  Kingis  come  to  support  thir  Princis 
o/Britane  aganis  the  Romanis. 

Ls  sone  as  Arviragus  was  maid  king  on  this  maner,  he 
repudiat  his  lauchfull  quene  Voada,  sister  to  Caratak, 
and  put  hir  in  preison,  efter  that  scho  had  borne  to  him 
two  douchteris,  and  ane  sonne ;  and,  in  the  mene  time, 
he  maryit  ane  Romane  lady  namit  Genissa,  be  persuasioun  of  Plau- 
tius,  trasting,  gif  it  hapnit  the  said  Arviragus  to  rebell  aganis  the 
Romanis,  the  affinite  ceissing  betwix  him  and  Caratak,  he  sail  get 
na  support  of  Scottis.     Sindry  princis  of  Britane  war  richt  commo- 
vit,  that  Arviragus  had  repudiat  his  quene  in  this  maner ;  and  per- 
suadit  him,  be  mony  reasonis,  to  denude  him  of  the  Romane  lady, 
and  to  adheir  to  his  lauchfull  wifFe,  quhilk  had  bene  with  him  mony 
yeris,  and  borne  to  him  plesand  childrin,  to  quhome  na  thing  in  erd 
micht  be  comparit.   Attour  thay  schew,  quhat  profFet  micht  be  had 
of  Scottis,  gif  his  ennimes  hapnit  sum  time  to  invaid  his  realme ; 
and  prait  him  to  eschew,  that  he,  be  rage  of  lust,  and  dissaitful 
wordis  of  Romanis,  drew  nocht  himself,  and  the  Britonis,  fra  amite 
of  thair  auld  confiderat  freindis.     Nochtheles,  quhen  thay  had  as- 
sailyeit  him  in  vane  with  thir  and  sichk  wordis,  thay  fand  nocht  bot 
his  reason  blindit  with  new  lust,  but  ony  sicht  to  wisdome  or  ho- 
nour.   In  the  nicht  following,  thay  brak  the  preison  quhare  Voada 
was  incarcerat,  and  brocht  hir  and  hir  barnis  with  thaim  in  Walis. 
Than  Arviragus  wrait  to  the  gret  princis  of  his  realme,  schewing, 
that  his  freindis,  the  lordis  of  Walis,  in  quhom  he  maist  confidit, 
tuke  indignatioun  that  he  had  preferrit  ane  Romane  lady  to  his  first 
wiffe ;  as  it  had  bene  unleifFul  to  him  to  have  sindry  wiffis  at  his  ple- 
seir ;  howbeit  nouthir  the  lawis,  nor  the  consuetude  of  Britane,  maid 
dirogation  thairto :  afferming,  eik,  the  said  mariage  was  for  na  rage 
of  lust,  bot  only  that  Britonis  and  Romanis  micht  incres  togidder. 


96  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

under  ane  blude  and  aniite.  Forthir,  he  desirit  thaim,  gif  the  lordis 
of  Walls  hapnit  to  conspire  aganis  him,  that  thay  defend  thair  faith 
promittit  to  Romanis.  It  was  answerit  be  thaim,  that  it  was  un- 
leifFuU  to  him  ony  maner  of  way  to  prefer  ane  new  wif  to  his  first 
wif ;  and,  for  that  cans,  thay  war  nocht  content  of  the  injuris  done 
to  hir. 

Arviragus,  knawing  quhat  mind  thir  nobilhs  bure  to  him,  thocht 
best  to  invaid  thaim  but  more  tary ;  and,  be  advise  of  Plaucius,  he 
assemblit  ane  army  of  Romanis  and  Britonis,  and  went  in  Wahs. 
The  princis  of  Wahs,  na  thing  afFrayit  of  his  cuming,  met  him  with 
ane  gret  power ;  nochtheles  thay  war  vincust,  and  put  to  flicht.  On 
the  morrow,  Arviragus  and  Plaucius  Avas  advertist,  that  Darby, 
Longcastell,  York,  and  sindry  otliir  schiris  war  rebellit.  Dredand, 
thairfore,  that  thair  ennimes  suld  invaid  the  eist  partis  of  Britane, 
thay  returnit  to  London.  Fra  thens,  Plaucius  had  litil  confidence 
in  the  Britonis,  and  send  in  France  for  two  new  legionis  to  support 
his  army ;  sine  garnist  all  his  strenthis  with  new  wageouris  and  vit- 
tallis. 

Sic  thingis  done  be  Plaucius,  the  princis  of  Walis  convenit  at 
Schrewisbery,  to  take  consultatioun  in  this  maist  dangerus  mater. 
At  last  it  was  concludit,  that  all  pepil  under  thair  obeisance  sal 
convene,  ane  certane.day  and  place,  to  expell  the  Romanis  out  of 
Britane,  or  ellis  al  at  anis  to  de.  Be  the  same  counsal  was  decernit, 
that  oratouris  sail  pas  to  the  lordis  of  Carlyll,  Kendell,  and  Duraine, 
to  solist  thaim  to  the  samin  effect.  In  the  hervest  following,  thir 
princis  foresaid  convenit  at  Schrewisbery ;  quhare  thay,  be  lang  re- 
grait  of  Romane  injuris,  lamentit  hevely  the  fekilnes  of  Arviragus, 
quhilk  had  more  desire  to  be  servand  to  Romanis  than  king  of  Bri- 
tonis. Nochtwithstanding,  with  haill  mind  and  pissance,  thay  con- 
cludit to  recover  thair  anciant  honouris  and  liberte.  Bot  than  be- 
gan na  litil  contention  quha  suld  be.  capitane  of  the  army ;  for  few 
of  thaim  wald  geif  place  to  othir.  Than  Comus,  prince  of  Walis, 
said  in  this  maner :  "  We  may  sone  gadder,  maist  vailyeant  men, 
"  ane  greter  army  of  our  pepil  and  freindis  than  may  be  esaly  re- 
"  sistit,  sa  that  every  thing  war  governit  be  craft  of  chevalry ;  for 
"  thairin  standis  al  victory  and  glore  of  battall.  Nochtheles,  sedi- 
"  tion,  discord,  and  ambitioun  of  honouris,  ar  so  contrarius  thairto, 


THE  THRID  BUKE.  97 

"  that  quhare  thay  sprout,  nouthir  ordoure  nor  craft  of  chevalry 
"  may  have  place,  nor  yit  victory  may  be  had  of  ennimes.  Thair- 
"  fore,  all  ambition  is  to  be  drawin  away,  and  all  dissentionis  to  be 
"  expirit ;  and,  finaly,  ane  man  to  be  chosin,  to  quhome  the  rema- 
"  nent  pepill  sail  be  obeisant;  be  quhais  auctorite  this  battall  sail 
"  be  led,  and,  gif  we  intend  to  have  victory,  to  be  obeisant  thairto. 
"  And,  because  we  ar  nere  equale  to  othir  in  power,  thairfore  it  is 
"  best  to  send  oratouris  to  Caratak,  King  of  Scottis,  quhilk  is  maist 
"  cruell  ennime  to  Romanis,  and  desire  him  concur  with  us  to  re- 
"  venge  the  oppressioun  done  to  his  sister  Voada,  and  to  defend 
"  his  nevo,  quhome  the  Romanis  intendis  to  defraude  of  the  crown 
"  of  Britonis ;  and  to  exhort  him  to  take  the  governance  thairof, 
"  quhill  his  nevo  war  of  perfite  aige :  and  thay  to  obey  him  in  all 
"  chargis  as  occurrit ;  for  the  more  affection  that  he  have  to  his  sis- 
"  ter  and  nevo,  the  more  esaly  may  this  mater  be  solistit." 

Sone  efter,  oratouris  wer  send  to  Caratak,  and  schew  him  all  this 
mater  at  lenth,  as  it  is  afore  rehersit.  Caratak  answerit,  that  he  was 
more  grevit  that  Arviragus  had  maryit  ane  Romane  lady,  in  dis- 
truction  of  himself  and  his  reahne,  than  of  ony  injuris  done  to  his 
sister  or  nevo ;  knawing  well,  how  Romanis,  be  vane  fallowschip  and 
gile,  subdewis  unprudent  kingis  to  thair  dominion.  Nochtheles,  he 
promittit  to  cum,  agane  the  spring  of  the  yeir,  to  support  thame 
with  his  army,  as  he  thocht  maist  expedient.  The  oratouris,  de- 
peschit  in  this  maner,  returnit  to  Schrewisbery. 

At  the  spring  of  the  yeir,  as  said  is,  thir  foresaid  princes  of  Bri- 
tane,  be  generall  edict,  assembht  all  men  that  micht  beir  wappinnis, 
to  ane  certane  day,  at  York,  to  defende  thair  common  liberte,  to  the 
nowmer  of  lxxx.m  men ;  and,  at  the  said  day,  come  Caratak  and 
Congestus,  the  confiderat  kingis  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis ;  quhais  cum- 
ing  maid  the  Britonis  sa  rejosit,  that  thay  belevit  na  thing  bot  sicker 
victory.  Incontinent,  as  was  afore  devisit,  Caratak  was  maid  gene- 
ral capitane  of  all  this  army ;  and  he  maid  under  him  sindry  othir 
capitanis,  quhare  thay  war  found  of  maist  wisdome  and  manheid ; 
and  exhortit  the  pepil  to  be  obeidient  thairto,  with  sic  respect  to 
thair  singulare  and  commoun  weill,  that  thay  suffer  nocht  thaimself 
to  be  randerit  to  ennimes :  and  sumtime  he  prayit  thaim,  to  remem- 

VOL.  I.  N 


98  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

ber  the  manheid  of  thair  elderis,  quhilkis  dang  the  vailyeant  JuUus 
out  of  Albion. 

The  Albianis,  inflammit  to  battal  be  this  hortation,  come  forth- 
wart  Weill  arrayit  on  thair  ennimes.  Als  sone  as  Plautius  and  Ar- 
viragus  war  advertist  thairof,  thay  arrayit  thair  folkis.  Nochthe- 
les,  thay  thocht  it  unganand  to  geif  hasty  battall,  knawing  weil 
thair  ennimes  ful  of  ire  and  hatrent ;  and,  thairfore,  concludit  to 
irk  thaim  erar  with  lang  tary,  walking,  labour,  and  penurite  of  vit- 
tallis,  than  to  jeoperde  aganis  sa  huge  multitude  of  peple,  all  en- 
ragit  aganis  thaim  at  anis,  quhilk  culd  nocht  be  vincust  but  untella- 
bil  murdir.  The  Albianis,  be  delayng  of  battall,  come  to  sic  point, 
that  thay  micht  nocht,  for  multitude  of  peple,  be  haldin  togidder : 
for  sic  derth  and  hunger  rais  in  thair  army,  that  sindry  of  thame 
depertit  fra  thair  camp  to  seik  vittallis ;  of  quhom  ane  certane  wer 
takin  and  brocht  to  Plaucius,  and  schew  the  Britonis,  be  hunger, 
Avalking,  and  truble,  neir  discomfist.  Plaucius,  on  the  morow,  maid 
his  armye  reddy  for  battall.  Caratak  weil  advertist  thairof,  arrayit 
his  folkis,  and,  be  sound  of  trumpat,  junit.  Followit  ane  scharp 
battal,  and  fochtin  continewalie  with  uncertane  victory,  quhill  the 
nicht  severit  thaim  on  ilk  side.  Plaucius,  on  the  morow,  seing  that 
he  micht  nocht  renew  his  army,  returnit  to  London,  eftir  that  the 
maist  part  of  his  horsmen  were  tint.  Caratak,  brokin  in  the  samin 
maner,  come  with  the  remanent  of  his  army  to  York :  and  com- 
mandit  al  his  folkis  to  pas  hame,  quhil  thay  wer  new  warnit. 


THE  THRID  BUKE.  99 


CDap*  (ZBletientlj* 

Of  the  message  send  to  Caraidk  be  Plaucius,  mid  of  his  answer.  Of' 
the  deith  of  Genissa.  And  how  Vespasian  teas  send  in  Britane  to 
dant  the  Britonis. 

Laucius,  eftir  this  unhappy  battal,  send  his  oratouris 
to  Caratak,  and  schew  that  he  had  gret  admiration  that 
Caratak,  but  ony  occasioun  of  injuris,  invadit  the  landis 
of  Romanis,  and  supportit  thair  ennimes ;  havand  na 
remembrance  of  the  gret  humanitels  done  to  him  be  Claudius,  Em- 
priour,  quhen  the  said  Claudius,  with  smal  difficulte,  micht  have 
subdemt  his  realme  and  pepil :  howbeit  he  abstenit,  and  exertit  his 
wraith  on  Orknay.  And,  thairfore,  desirit  him  to  repair  al  injuris 
be  him  done,  and  obstene  thairfra  in  times  cuming ;  or  eUis  he  suld 
be  reput  ennime  to  Romanis.  It  wes  answerd  be  Caratak,  that  it 
wes  not  to  have  admiratioun  thocht  he  defendit  his  nepote  Guide- 
rius  undefraudit  of  his  just  heritage  and  kingdome.  And  to  the  re- 
manent pointis  he  answerit,  It  wes  for  na  favour  that  Claudius  in- 
vadit nocht  the  realme  of  Scottis,  bot  onlie  becaus  he  knew  the  sa- 
)nin  nocht  possible  to  be  conquest  but  extreme  jeoperde  and  chance 
of  battal :  and,  for  that  caus,  he  past  on  the  rude  and  unarmit  pe- 
pill  of  Orknay,  quhilkis  micht  be  sone  vincust ;  to  that  fine,  that  he, 
the  glorius  and  vailyeant  Empriour,  amang  febil  creaturis,  micht 
have  ane  fenyeit  glore  of  triumphe.  For  thir  causis,  the  Romanis 
suld  redres  baith  the  new  and  auld  injuris  done  to  Scottis  and 
Pichtis,  and  depart  hastely  out  of  Albion,  with  thair  folkis ;  uther- 
wayis  nocht  wes  to  be  traistit,  bot  Scottis,  Pichtis,  and  Britonis, 
quhom  thay  held  in  maist  contemption,  suld  be  thair  perpetuall  en- 
nimes, for  defence  of  thair  liberte,  and  native  Goddis. 

Plaucius,  be  this  answer,  tuk  hie  indignation ;  and  thocht  it  richt 
unworthy  that  ane  pepill  nothir  pissant  in  riches  nor  chevalry,  so 
pertlie  sal  contempne  the  power  of  Romanis :  and  maid,  thairfore, 


100  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

his  aith  to  revenge  this  proud  contemption  done  be  Caratak.  ]\Iony 
othh"  Romanis  maid  thair  aithis  in  that  samin  maner. 

Quhen  Arviragus  had  considerit  the  gret  Constance  of  Caratak 
in  this  maner,  he  tuke  ferme  beleif,  gif  his  pissance  wer  concurrant 
with  the  remanent  Albianis,  that  Romanis  micht  be  esahe  doung 
out  of  Albion.  Desiring;  thairfore  to  recover  his  anciant  honouris 
and  Hberte,  he  left  Plaucius,  and  past,  with  al  that  war  of  his  opi- 
nion, to  the  remanent  princis  of  Britonis,  quhilkis  war  convenit  for 
the  time  at  Schrewisbery ;  quhare  he  was  plesandly  ressavit.  Genissa, 
the  Romane  lady,  quhome  Arviragus  tuke  in  place  of  his  lauchfull 
wif,  herand  the  rebellion  of  Arviragus,  tuke  sic  displeseir,  that 
scho  partit  with  child,  and  sone  efter  deceissit.  Than  Aulus  Plau- 
cius, ilk  day  havand  les  confidence  in  Britonis,  becaus  thair  faith  was 
sa  oft  brokin ;  began  to  garnis  the  munitionis,  strenthis,  and  townis  of 
Romanis  with  new  wageouris  and  vittallis ;  and  send  letteris  with  di- 
ligence to  Claudius,  complening  the  falset  of  Britonis,  qvdiilkis 
micht  na  way  be  haldin  under  the  Romane  lawis,  bot  maid  new 
rebellion,  and  lies  brocht  with  thaim  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  the 
maist  cruell  and  bludy  pepill  in  erd  :  and  thairfore  the  battal  sal 
not  be  led,  in  times  cuming,  only  aganis  the  Britonis,  bot  erar  aganis 
all  the  Albianis  :  For  thir  reasonis  gud  war  to  send  hasty  support 
to  Romanis,  that  thay  be  nocht  schamefully  doung  out  of  Britane. 
Als  sone  as  Claudius  rede  thir  letteris,  he  send  Vespasian  with  mony 
Romane  legionis  in  Britane. 

Vespasian,  efter  his  cumming,  seing  the  dangerus  cais  the  Ro- 
manis war  intU,  maid  him  to  bring  all  materis  to  beter  estait.  And 
first  he  callit  afore  him  the  said  Plaucius,  to  se  gif  the  dammage 
falling  to  Romanis  in  this  battal,  succedit  be  his  imprudence  or  sleuth. 
Plaucius,  for  his  purgation,  maid  few  wordis ;  bot  sufFerit  his  dedis 
to  schaw  thaim  self:  for  every  thing,  that  pertenit  to  craft  of  che- 
valry,  war  sa  wisly  be  him  providit,  that  the  same  was  in  sic  admi- 
ration to  Vespasian,  that  he  fermly  belevit  the  said  Plaucius  was 
sufficient,  howbeit  na  othir  power  had  cumin  to  him,  to  have  sub- 
dewit  the  Albianis  to  Romane  empire. 


THE  THRID  BUKE.  101 


C^ap,  Ctuelftfi» 

Hoia  the  thre  Kingis  of  Albion^  movand  weir  aganis  Vespasian, 
xver  discomfist.  How  Vespasian  ressavit  Arviragus  to  his  mercy, 
and  maid  his  Lands  trihutar  to  Romane  Empire. 

EsPASiAN,  sone  efter,  maid  his  ordinance  to  pas  on  Ar- 
viragus and  the  Britonis,  for  thair  rebellion.  Arvira- 
gus advertist  thairof,  convenit  his  noblis  at  York,  quhare 
the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  war  devisit  to  cum.  In  this 
counsall,  was  not  devisit,  as  afore,  that  every  man  sufficient  to  beir 
armoure,  suld  convene  to  expel  the  Romanis  out  of  Albion ;  bot  ane 
certane  of  every  schire  allanerly,  that  thair  vittallis  micht  be  the 
mair  esaly  providit.  Thus  war  the  Britonis,  at  the  day  affixit,  ga- 
derit  to  the  nowmer  of  lxv.m  chosin  men,  and  convenit  at  York, 
with  two  monethis  vittallis,  abiding  the  cuming  of  the  confiderat 
kingis ;  quhilkis  come,  sone  efter,  with  lx.m  men.  The  Albianis  as- 
sembht  togidder  in  this  maner,  devidit  thaim  in  sindry  battallis,  with 
capitanis  to  hald  thaim  in  gud  array.  On  the  tothir  side,  Vespasian 
rasit  his  tentis,  and  was  convoyit  be  certane  treasonabill  Britonis, 
quhare  the  Albianis  war.  Followit  sone,  ane  dangerus  and  terribil 
battal ;  for  the  Albianis  stude  at  ane  strenth  beside  ane  mos,  nocht 
twelve  mills  fra  York.  Alway  the  Romanis  that  faucht  in  the  richt 
wing  war  neir  discomfist;  nochtheless,  Vespasian  supportit  thaim 
with  ane  new  legion :  be  quhais  cuming  thair  curage  was  sa  rasit, 
that,  notwithstanding  thair  hevy  woundis,  thay  renewit  battal ;  and 
quhen  thay  war  persit  throw  the  bodyis,  thay  ceissit  not  quhill  thay 
slew  thair  ennimes  fornens  thaim.  Otheris  faucht  sa  cruelly,  that 
quhen  thair  hand  and  swerd  was  doung  away,  thay  fell  above  thair 
ennimes,  and  rave  thaim  Avith  thair  teith.  Nochtheless,  the  fatal 
necessite  of  victory,  gevin  be  devine  weirdis  to  Romanis,  micht  not 
be  vincust  that  day  be  multitude,  manheid,  nor  lang  perseverance 
in  battal ;  be  repugnance  of  the  Goddis,  quhilkis  had  determit  to 


102  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

subdew  all  realmis  to  Romanis  :  for  the  Albianis,  howbeit  thay  left 
na  thing  undone  that  micht  pertene  to  vailyeant  campionis,  wai- 
finaly  discomfist.  Arviragus,  opprest  with  hevy  dolour,  for  slauch- 
ter  of  sa  mony  nobil  campionis,  wald  have  slane  himself ;  bot  he  was 
stoppit  be  his  friendis,  in  esperance  of  better  fortoune.  Caratak, 
saiffit  with  ane  few  nowmer  of  pepil,  went  to  Brigance.  Illithara, 
King  of  Pichtis,  desiring  not  to  leif  efter  the  slauchter  of  his  dere 
freindis,  raif  of  his  coit  armour,  and  was  slane  sone  efter,  unknawin 
quhat  he  was. 

The  Britonis,  efter  this  unliappy  battall,  send  ane  herald  to  Ves- 
pasian, desiring  peace  ;  and  schew  sa  huge  calamite  falling  to 
thaim  be  ire  of  Goddis,  that  of  lxv.m  Britonis,  war  left  only  vi.c 
men  on  live,  and  war  sa  punist,  that  thay  micht  be  sufficient  ex- 
emple  to  schaw  quhat  vengeance  and  sorow  cumis  to  all  pepil,  for 
violation  of  thair  faith  and  promis.  Vespasian  ans^\-erit,  he  wald 
heir  na  condicion  of  peace,  quhill  Arviragus  wer  brocht  to  his  pre- 
sence. Arviragus,  seand  na  refuge,  comperit  in  his  humly  maner ; 
quhilk  thing  movit  Vespasian  to  gret  reuth,  seing,  be  chance  of 
fortoune,  that  he,  quhilk  was  sa  provit  that  day  at  morow,  was 
than  sa  destitute  of  freindis,  that  he  desirit  mercy  at  his  ennimes. 
Incontinent  Arviragus  fel  on  kneis,  saying,  the  Goddis  had  tane  sa 
rigorus  punition  on  him  and  his  pepil,  that  he  covet  not  to  leif 
above  so  hie  calamite.  And  thairfore  he  desirit  nocht  bot  grace  to 
his  son  and  wif,  quhilkis  he  afore  had  wrangusly  exilit  but  ony  fait. 
Vespasian  seing  his  dolorus  estait,  had  sic  compassion,  that  he  micht 
not  retene  fra  teris ;  nochtheless,  he  tuke  counsall  how  he  suld  be- 
half him  in  this  mater.  Sum  gaif  counsal,  that  Arviragus  suld  be 
send,  with  his  wif,  children,  and  guddis,  to  Rome,  as  lauchful  pray, 
to  abide  the  jugement  of  Romane  senatouris;  to  be  exempil  to  all 
pepill,  quhat  frute  procedis  of  rebellion  aganis  the  Romanis.  Otheris, 
havand  sicht  to  chance  of  fortoune,  counsulit  him  to  have  reuth,  and 
not  to  travel  the  said  Arviragus  to  Rome,  sen  he  was  not  thair 
lauchful  pray,  bot  cuming  under  assurance  of  Romanis ;  quhais  em- 
pire was  eikit  be  inviolat  faith,  and  be  no  shchtis  on  thair  subdittis. 
Vespasian,  be  this  counsal,  tuke  Arviragus  to  his  mercy,  and  conti- 
newit  him  in  his  auctorite ;  syne  commandit  all  the  strenthis  of  the 
townis  of  Britane,  quhilkis  afore  war  stuffit  aganis  the  Romanis,  to 


THE  THRID  BUKE.  103 

be  randerit  to  his  capitanis ;  and  plegis  to  be  gevin  for  observation 
thairof.  The  principal  man  that  was  gevin  at  this  time  in  plege,  wes 
Guiderius,  Prince  of  Britane,  and  sonne  of  Arviragus  ;  quhilk  pass- 
and  with  Vespasian  to  Rome,  fell  in  gret  inflrmite,  and  deceissit. 
Quhen  Vespasian  had  dantit  the  Britonis  on  this  wise,  he  distroyit 
al  thair  awin  lawis,  and  brocht  on  thaim  the  lawis  of  Romanis :  and 
commandit  that  na  man  sal  haif  commission  of  blude  within  Britane, 
bot  Plauciiis,  or  his  deputis ;  be  quhom  certane  men  war  limit  to 
minister  justice  on  the  Romane  maner.  The  fame  of  thir  lawis  cau- 
sit  al  the  remanent  Britonis  to  be  yoldin  to  Vespasian,  and  gave 
him  mony  riche  jewellis,  in  satisfaction  of  thair  offence. 


Cfjap.  Cfiftteentfj. 

How  Vespasiane  wan  the  Towne  of  Camelon,  and  discomjist  Cara- 
tak.  Of  his  Message  send  to  Carafak;  and  of  Caratahis  An- 
szvere. 


Ow  was  the  winter  cummin,  and  causit  Vespasiane  to  re- 
turne  to  York ;  quhare  he  abaid,  all  the  said  winter,  with 
Arviragus.  And  at  the  nixt  somer  he  rasit  his  army, 
and  come  within  the  boundis  of  Mers  and  Berwik,  per- 
tening  to  the  dominion  of  Pichtis :  quhais  inhabitantis  war  ay  maist 
vailyeant,  and  strangest  ennimes  to  Britonis ;  nochtheles,  thay  war 
than  sabrokin,  at  this  time,  with  the  battall  afore  rehersit,  that  thay 
micht  make  litil  resistance,  bot  war  haistely  yoldin  to  Romanis. 
Utheris,  quhilkis  war  mair  nobil,  fled  to  Camelon,  belevand  the  Ro- 
manis suld  nocht  cum  thair,  for  difficill  and  strait  passage.  Vespa- 
siane Weill  advertist  of  thair  departing,  come  with  more  diligence 
than  ony  men  presumit,  and  wan  the  said  town  of  Camelon.  Amang 
mony  riche  and  precius  jewellis,  in  spulyeing  of  this  town,  war  found 
the  armis  of  the  kingis  of  Pichtis ;  and  ane  crown  of  gold,  set  about 
with  precius  stanis  of  variant  colouris ;  and  ane  swerd,  with  heft  of 
gold  maist  curiously  wrocht,  within  ane  purpour  scheith.     This 


104  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

swerd  was  worne,  mony  yeris  efter,  be  Vespasiane  in  all  his  wens. 
All  the  nobillis  of  Pichtis,  that  war  takin  in  Camelon,  war  licent  to 
returne  hame,  on  thair  pledgis.  Vespasiane  abaid,  lang  time  efter,  in 
Camelon ;  and  brocht  divers  auld  capitanis  to  dwell  in  it,  and  to  leif 
under  Romane  lawis,  instrukand  the  rude  pepill  thairof  in  civill 
maneris.     He  biggit  ane  tempil,  nocht  far  fra  the  said  town,  apon 
the  watter  of  Carron,  in  honour  of  Claudius  and  Victory  ;  and  com- 
mandit  the  samin  to  be  adorit  be  the  pepil.     Quhill  Vespasian  was 
gevin  on  this  maner  to  polesy  and  vane  religion  of  gentilis,  he  was 
advertist  be  his  exploratouris,  that  Caratak,  King  of  Scottis,  had 
renewit  his  army,  and  cumand  furthwart  to  revenge  the  injuris  done 
to  him  be  Romanis.     Vespasian  litill  affrayit  of  thir  novellis,  abaid 
in  Camelon,  and  commandit  Plaucius,  with  ane  part  of  the  Romanis 
army,  to  raeit  him.    Not  lang  efter,  be  sound  of  trumpat,  baith  the 
armyis  junit,  and  faucht  with  incredable  slauchter  on  athir  side.  At 
last,  quhen  thay  had  fochtin  fra  the  dawing  to  the  midday,  the  vic- 
tory succedit  to  Romanis.     The  residew  of  Scottis,  that  eschapit 
fra  this  sorowful  battall,  fled  to  the  montanis.     King  Caratak,  evil 
woundit,  was  brocht  out  of  the  felde,  with  gret  difficulte,  to  Doun- 
stafage.    Throw  fame  of  this  unhappy  battall,  mony  pepil  war  yol- 
din  to  Romanis.    All  thay  that  dwelt  in  Brigance,  havand  litil  con- 
fidence in  thair  strenthis,  fled  with  thair  wiffis,  children,  and  guddis, 
to  the  nixt  montanis.     The  fourt  day  efter,  Plaucius  tuk  the  town 
of  Carrik,  and  pertit  al  the  spulye  and  guddis  found  in  it,  amang 
his  weirmen ;  and  send  ane  herald  to  Vespasian,  to  advertis  him  of 
this  victory,  and  schew  that  Brigance,  the  principal  province  of  Scot- 
land, was  to  be  randerit  but  ony  forthir  rebellion.     Vespasian  re- 
josing  of  thir  novellis,  come  to  Carrik ;  quhare  he  ressavit  mony  of 
the  pepill  of  Brigance  to  his  opinion.  Efter  this,  havand  compassion 
of  the  lamentabil  chance  falling  to  Caratak,  fechtand  to  the  uter  ex- 
terminion  of  his  pepill,  for  defence  of  his  liberte ;  he  send  messin- 
geris  to  him,  saying :  It  was  nocht  ganand  to  him  to  be  ony  forthir 
repugnant  to  the  Goddis,  be  quhome  all  victory,  empire,  and  aucto- 
rite  procedis  in  erd  ;  quhais  deliverit  sentence  hes  ordanit  all  regionis 
to  be  subdewit  to  Romanis.     It  wes  necessar,  thairfore,  to  him  and 
his  pepill,  to  obey  the  Goddis ;  quhilkis  hes  tane  ane  manifest  puni- 


THE  THRID  BUKE.  105 

tioun  on  him  and  his  pepill,  for  thair  rebellioun  :  attoure,  promittit, 
gif  he  wald  be  obedient  to  Komane  empire,  that  he  suld  remane  in 
honouris  as  afore,  and  to  be  reput  as  freind  to  the  senat  and  pepill 
of  Rome  ;  uthirwayis,  gif  he  wald  be  repugnant,  and  perseveir  be 
unprudent  hatrent  aganis  thaim,  he  suld  be  degradit  of  auctorite, 
and  his  peple  uterlie  distroyit.  To  thir  wourdis  answerit  Caratak, 
It  wes  na  les  fury  than  inprudence,  to  mortall  pepill  to  presume, 
(as  thay  war  familiar  with  Goddis,)  to  have  ony  cognoscance  of 
thingis  to  cum.  Forthir,  gif  the  Romanis,  but  ony  occasion  of  just 
battall,  wald  invaid  him,  he  culd  do  na  thing  les  than  resist  sa  farre 
as  he  micht :  for  he  traistit  the  Goddis  not  to  be  sa  injust,  to  gif 
victory  to  injurius  and  wrangus  pepil.  Forthir,  he  culd  nocht  un- 
derstand that  Romanis  suld  defend  him  in  his  realme,  sen  thay  have 
socht  sa  niony  wayis  to  reif  him,  as  thay  have  done  to  othir  kingis. 
As  to  the  amite  and  freindschip  of  Romanis,  he  thocht  the  same  to 
be  desirit,  gif  it  micht  do  him  ony  commodite  ;  bot  as  than  it  was 
to  be  refusit,  for  gret  dammage  suld  follow  thairthrow  to  his  realme 
and  subditis.  The  realme  of  Scottis  wes  als  fre  to  him,  as  the  king- 
dome  of  Romanis  wes  to  Cesar  Empriour.  And  sen  all  pepill  that 
will  nocht  defend  thair  awin,  ar  repute  na  les  detestabil  than  thay 
that  reiffis  othir  mennis  realmes,  he  suld  perseveir  in  battall  aganis 
the  Romanis  to  the  finall  end  of  his  live,  in  defence  of  his  realme 
and  liberte. 


VOL.  I. 


106  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


How  CarataJc  cumand  "with  nezc  army  aganis  Romanis,  tees  vincu^t. 
Oftlic  Deith  of  Plautius ;  and  how  Ostorius  was  send  in  his  place, 
and  dantit  the  Britonis. 

E  this  answer,  Vespasian  tuk  gret  admii-ation;  seing 
Caratak  of  sa  invinsabil  spent :  quhen  al  the  remanent 
princis  of  Albion  wer  subdewit,  he  only,  pretending 
to  fecht  aganis  Romanis  :  and,  for  his  proud  contemp- 
tion,  he  tuk  purpos  to  put  him  and  his  pepill  to  uter  rewine.  Yit, 
becaus  the  passage  wes  difficil,  and  vittallis  micht  not  be  transportit 
in  his  boundis,  but  huge  dammage  of  Romanis ;  he  changit  his 
mind,  and  maid  him  reddy  to  pas  in  the  He  of  Man,  lyand  betwix 
Ireland  and  Albion:  and  for  the  expedition  thairof,  he  brocht 
mony  schippis  and  galyonis  to  the  nixt  port,  reddy  to  the  samin  ef- 
fect. In  the  mene  time,  he  gat  lettris,  schewand,  that  baith  Walls 
and  the  He  of  Wicht  wes  rebellit ;  and  uncertane  gif  the  same  pro- 
cedit  be  persuation  of  France  or  not.  Vespasiane,  traisting  na  thing 
sa  gud  as  to  meit  this  present  truble  afore  it  ony  forther  spred,  su- 
persedit  his  passage  in  the  He  of  Man,  and  past  in  Britane ;  leiffand 
behind  him  the  strenthis  of  Brigance  garnist  with  Strang  sodjouris, 
and  the  residew  of  his  army  with  Plaucius.  At  his  cuming  in  Bri- 
tane, the  pepill,  wath  facill  lauboure,  wer  sone  dantit ;  and  the'prin- 
cipal  conspiratouris  punist  for  thair  rebellion.  Vespasiane,  eftir  thir 
feliciteis,  returnit  be  command  of  Claudius,  Empriour,  to  Rome ; 
quhare  he  wes  ressavit  with  gret  triumphe. 

Als  sone  as  Caratak  wes  advertist  that  Vespasiane  wes  departit 
out  of  Albion,  he  thocht  time  ganand  to  recover  the  landis  of  Scot- 
tis  and  Pichtis,  quhilk  war  reft  afore  be  tyrany  of  Romanis  ;  and  as- 
sembht  thairfore  ane  army  fra  sindry  boundis  of  Albion,  with  al 
pepil  that  hatit  the  Romanis,  or  desirit  to  revenge  thair  injuris. 
The  Romanis,  weil  certifyit  of  his  cuming,  met  him  with  arrayit 


THE  THRID  BUKE.  107 

ostis.  Followit,"  ane  terribill  bergane,  fochtin  with  birnand  hatrent 
on  all  sidis :  the  Scottis  desiring  to  recover  thair  hberte ;  and  the 
Romanis,  to  tine  not  the  landis  that  thay  wan  afore  with  gret  diffi- 
cuhe  and  pine.  This|  battall  wes  lang  fochtin  with  nncertane  vic- 
tory ;  nochtheles,  the  wisdonie  and  chevalrie  of  Romanis  wan  the 
victory,  and  put  the  Scottis  to  the  flicht.  Caratak,  seing  his  army 
brokin,  colleckit  the  residew  of  his  folkis,  and  come  to  Dounstafage ; 
quhare  he,  be  lang  consiiltationn  afore  his  nobillis,  tuke  avisement 
how  he  micht  defend  his  realme  ao;anis  the  Romanis  ;  and  dcsirit 
ane  new  army  to  be  gaderit  out  .)f  al  boundis  undir  his  dominioun, 
with  al  support  that  micht  be  goctin  fra  the  princis  of  Ireland,  thair 
anciant  faderis,  to  expel  the  Romanis  out  of  Scotland,  or  than  all  at 
anis  to  de.  The  counsal  ripely  avisit,  with  thir  present  calamiteis 
falling  on  thaini  be  frequent  victorye  of  Romanis,  thocht  nocht  pro- 
fitable to  jeopcrd  the  realme  to  the  last  chance  of  battall :  bot  erar 
to  suffer  thair  pepill  to  waik  sumtime  fra  battal,  to  recover  sum 
strenth,  quhilkis  lies  bene  sa  oft  diffait  afore.  Be  the  samin  coun- 
sall,  wes  devisit,  that  certane  chosin  men  suld  lye  on  the  bordour  of 
Brigance,  to  stop  the  Romanis  fra  invasioun  of  the  remanent  boimdis 
of  Scotland,  be  frequent  incursionis  erar  than  plane  battall :  thus 
wes  the  battall  prolongit  twa  yeris  eftir,  but  ony  gret  slauchter.  The 
samin  time,  Plaucius,  governour  of  Romane  army,  fel  in  irremedi- 
able infirmite  of  flux ;  and  quhen  he  understude  cleirly  he  micht 
nouthir  convales  be  support  of  nature  nor  medcine,  he  wes  sa  dis- 
parit  of  his  life,  that  he  desirit  Claudius,  Empriour,  sen  he  micht 
nocht  labour  forthir  for  the  common  weill  of  Rome,  to  send  ane 
prudent  capitane  in  his  place,  to  hald  the  Albianis  undir  Romane 
lawis,  that  the  landis  conquest  afore  with  gret  difBculte  wer  nocht 
tint.  Claudius,  at  his  desire,  send  in  Britane  ane  vailyeant  knicht, 
namit  Ostorius  Scapula  ;  and  sone  eftir  his  cuming,  Plaucius  deceis- 
sit  in  Camelon.  His  body  wes  brint,  eftir  the  custome  and  rite  of 
Romanis,  and  consecratit  in  the  Tempill  of  Claudius  and  Victory. 
Thus  rais  ane  consuetude,  mony  yeris  eftir  observat  amang  the 
Scottis  and  Pichtis,  to  birne  the  bodyis  of  thaim  that  deis ;  as  ap- 
peris  yit,  be  mony  signis,  to  our  day  is :  for,  in  the  yeir  of  God, 
M.DXXi  yeris,  in  Fyndoure,  ane  town  of  the  Mernis,  v  milis  fra 
Aberdene,  wes  found  ane  anciant  sepulture,  in  quhilk  wer  ii  lame 


108  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

piggis,  craftely  maid,  ■pdth  letteris  ingravit,  full  of  brint  powder ; 
quhilkis  sone  eftir  that  thay  Aver  handillit  fel  in  dros.  Siclike  in 
Kenbothen,  ane  town  of  Mar,  x  mills  fra  Aberdene,  wer  found 
two  sepulturis,  on  the  samin  maner,  full  of  brint  powder.  Mony 
othir  sepulturis  lies  bene  oft  times  found  on  the  same  maner,  ful  of 
brint  powder.    Bot  we  vai  return  to  our  historye,  quhare  we  left. 

The  Britonis,  eftir  the  cumming  of  Ostorius  Scapula,  beleving 
to  recover  thair  liberte,  becaus  he  knew  not  thair  maneris  nor  coun- 
tre,  rebellit.  Ostorius,  desiring  to  have  occasion  of  rebeUioun, 
that  he  micht  schaw  his  proues  and  manheid ;  rasit  his  camp  to  in- 
vaid  the  Welchemen  and  otheris  Britonis,  in  the  west  partis  of  Bri- 
tane  ;  and  finalie  put  thaim  to  discomfiture.  Eftir  this  victory,  he 
went  on  the  est  Britonis,  fornence  the  France  seis,  quhilkis  war  the 
principal  movaris  of  this  rebellion.  Thir  Britonis  seing  na  refuge, 
fledde  to  ane  strait  ground,  quhare  thay  micht  nocht  be  esalie  inva- 
dit :  nochtheles,  thay  wer  finalie  vincust.  Throw  fame  of  this  un- 
happy battall,  all  the  remanent  Britonis  wer  subdewit  to  Ostorius. 


How  CarataJCf  Jetchand  with  new  army  aganis  the  Homanis,  was 
discomfist  and  maid  Presoner  to  Ostorius,  he  treason  of  Cartu- 
onandia,  his  stepmoder. 

Storius,  schort  time  eftir,  tuk  ane  castell,  in  Cumber, 
namit  Carlyll :  and  eftir  that  he  had  tane  gret  praye  of 
guddis  out  of  all  partis  lyand  thair  about,  he  come  with 
I  j  al  his  anny,  baith  in  Penthland,  Carrik,  Kyle,  andCu- 
ningham  ;  and  wrocht  insufferabil  injuris  vnXh  fire  and  swerd,  on  the 
pepill  thairof.  Caratak,  impacient  to  sustene  thir  offencis,  determit 
outher  to  de,  or  ellis  to  revenge  the  samin.  Mony  othir  Albianis 
come  to  him  on  the  samin  mind.  The  army  of  Caratak  at  this  time 
wes  noumerit  to  xl.m  men :  and  wes  arrayit  in  sic  maner  that  al 
thair  bakkis  wer  set  contrar  ane  deip  rivere,  but  ony  furde ;  to  that 
fine,  that  nane  of  thame  may  have  esperance  to  flee,     Than  wes  al 


THE  THRID  BUKE  109 

the  agit  wemen,  quhilk  come  in  gret  noumer  to  visie  the  chance  of 
this  feild,  set  on  ilk  side  of  the  battall ;  to  rais  the  spreitis  of  men 
with  thair  clamour,  and  to  cast  stanis  at  thair  ennimes,  and  sla 
thaira  quhen  thay  fell.  All  othir  wemen,  that  war  young  and  wicht, 
war  arrayit  with  armour  and  wappinnis  amang  the  men.  Sic  thingis 
done,  the  capitanis  went  heir  and  thair  about  the  army,  exhorting 
thame  all  in  general  to  battal ;  and  said.  That  daye,  behuffit  thay 
othir  to  recover  thair  liberte,  or  ellis  be  thirht  to  perpetual  servitude. 
And  sumtime  thay  maid  invocatioun  to  the  Devine  Spreit  of  thair  el- 
daris;  quhilkis,  be  thair  manheid  and  glorius  chevalrie,  dang  Julius 
out  of  Albion,  and  maid  thaim  and  thair  posterite  exonerat  fra  al 
tribut  and  servitude  of  Romanis.  Than  followit  sa  huge  clamour 
and  noyis  in  the  army,  that  ilk  man  promittit,  but  ony  feu*,  to  fecht 
for  thair  realme  and  liberte  to  the  deith.  Ostorius  wes  na  litil  asto- 
nist,  seing  the  Scottis  of  sa  huge  multitude,  and  brim  desire  of  bat- 
tall  ;  knawing  weil  how  dangerus  it  wes  to  fecht  aganis  ony  men  in 
extreme  disperation  but  refuge.  Caratak,  yit  to  gif  the  army  more 
curage  and  spreit  to  fecht,  schew  that  thair  perpetual  liberte  wes 
than  present  to  thaim  in  that  feild,  for  the  winning.  On  the  othir 
side,  Ostorius  wes  na  les  prudent  in  hortation  of  his  folkis :  desmng 
thame,  be  lang  orison,  to  remember  how  thay  wer  Romanis,  danta- 
ris  of  all  pepiU  ;  and  thair  ennimes,  bot  rude  and  barbar,  but  huma- 
nite,  and  cassin  be  Nature,  the  crafty  moder  of  al  creature,  in  the 
remote  and  last  nuik  of  the  warld.  Incontinent,  baith  the  armyis, 
be  thunderand  preis  of  trumpat,  junit,  and  faucht  with  mair  cruelte 
than  evir  wes  herd  in  ony  warld  afore :  nochtheles,  the  Romanis  wer 
finalie  victouris. 

In  this  battall  wes  tane  Caratakis  \nf,  his  dochter,  and  breder.  And, 
as  oft  is  sene,  few  men  can  haif  sicker  freindis  in  adversite  :  This 
Caratak  fled  to  his  gud  moder,  Cartumandia,  Queue  of  Scottis ; 
qubilk,  eftu"  deceis  of  his  fader  Cadallane,  wes  maryit  apon  one  vai- 
lyeant  knicht,  namit  Venisius.  Cartumandia  seing  Caratak  disti- 
tute  of  all  consolatioun,  deliverit  him  to  Ostorius,  the  ix.  yeir  eftir 
that  the  battall  wes  begun  be  Romanis  in  Albion.  Ostorius  seing 
Caratak  brocht  afore  him,  and  reft  fra  kinglie  dignite,  had  sic  com- 
passioun,  that  he  tuke  him  be  the  hand,  and  said,  "  O  Caratak,  this 
"  mischance  suld  be  sufferit  Avith  pacience  ;  for  thocht  thow  be  dis- 


no  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

"  titute  of  gud  fortoun,  yit  thou  art  nocht  cumin  in  our  handis, 
"  nakit  of  virtew.  Eschame  nocht  to  be  the  pray  of  Romanis, 
"  quhilkis  hes  subdew-it  sa  niony  riche  and  vailyeant  kingis,  and  led 
"  thaim  in  triumphe."  To  this  answerit  Caratak,  with  hevy  cheir : 
"  I  mon,"  said  he,  "  suffer  this  adversite,  howbeit  it  be  contrar 
"  my  Avill.  And  yit  na  thing  is  sa  grevous  to  me  as  Fortoun  ;  quhilk 
"  is  sa  contrarius  to  my  governance,  that  scho  hes  dejeckit  me  at  thy 
"  feit,  to  be  example  of  hir  mutabilite ;  and  maid  me  presoner,  more 
"  be  treason  than  force  :  quhil  my  pissance  indurit,  I  maid  impedi- 
"  ment ;  bot  now,  be  treason  of  my  stepmoder,  Cartumandia,  in 
"  quhom  had  I  maist  confidence  eftir  my  discomfitour,  I  am  cumin 
"  in  thy  handis.  My  part  is  now  to  obey  to  the  as  victour,  and  un- 
"  derlie  the  M'il  and  pleseir  of  my  ennime :  thy  part  sal  be  to  use 
"  the  chance  of  ane  victorius  Capitane,  and  so  mercifuU,  that  vincust 
"  and  miserable  peple  may  have  sum  esperance  of  grace."  Als  sone 
as  Caratak  had  said  thir  wourdis,  he  wes  brocht  to  the  tentis  of  Ro- 
manis, and  tretit  with  all  reverence,  as  efferit  to  ane  king. 


How  Ca7-atak  was  brocht  to  Rome,  and  how  he  returnit  in  Scotland. 
Of  uncouth  mervellis  sene  in  Albion  ;  and  of  sindry  nobill  Clerkis, 
and  of  the  Deith  of  Caratak. 

Aratak,  within  few  dayis  eftir,  wes  brocht  throw 
Italy,  with  his  wiffe,  douchter,  and  bredir,  to  Rome. 
The  pepil,  heirand  his  cumming,  assemblit  out  of  all 
|!  partis;  richt  desirus  to  se  that  vailyeant  king  quhilk 
had  fouchtin  sa  mony  yeris  aganis  the  Romanis.  At  his  cuming, 
stude  arrayit  in  the  stretis  of  Rome,  the  band  of  weirmen,  in  gret 
ordour.  First  wer  schawin  his  hors,  harnes,  barding,  and  riche 
spulyeis ;  quhilkis  war  gottin  in  the  feild  aganis  him  :  followit,  his 
wif  and  douchter ;  and,  last  of  all,  himself.  Caratak,  brocht  afore  the 
Empreour  in  this  maner,  and  seing  his  freindis  that  come  with  him 
sum  part  astonist ;  to  schaw  his  curage  na  thing  dejeckit  in  this  cala- 


THE  THRID  BUKE.  Ill 

mite,  said  in  this  maner  :  "  Had  I  bene  als  fortunat  in  prosperite 
"  and  riches,  as  I  am  in  hie  nobilite  and  blud,  I  micht  haif  erar 
"  cummin  freind  than  presonere  in  this  town ;  for  I  wes  nocht  un- 
"  worthy,  tlirow  my  progenitouris  and  gret  dominioun,  to  have  bene 
"  confiderat  with  Romanis.     This  present  calamite  is  na  les  honor- 
"  able  to  the,  Cesar,  Empriour,  than  unplesand  to  me.     I  had  sum- 
"  time  hors,  harnes,  men,  and  riches :  quhat  wonder  is  thocht  I  have 
"  lost  thaim  aganis  my  will  ?    for  gif  the  Romanis  ynW  have  em- 
"  pire  above  the  warld,  on  force  al  peple  man  be  thrillit  to  your 
"  servitude.  Had  I  bene  randerit  to  Romanis,  sone  eftir  thair  cuming 
"  in  Albioun,  nothir  had  thy  glore,  nor  yit  my  calamite  bene  sa 
"  notable  and  knawin.    And  thocht  thow  punis  me,  that  am  thy  pre- 
"  sonere,  to  the  deith;  the  memory  of  me  sail  sone  evanis :  yit,  will 
"  thow  suffer  me  returne  to  my  realme,  it  sal  be  ane  perpetuall  ex- 
"  ample  of  thy  mercy."    The  Emprioure  incontinent  gave  pardoun 
and  grace  baith  to  him,  his  wiffe,  and  brether ;  and  deliverit  thaim  of 
bondaige.     Sone  efter,  the  faderis  convenit,  and  fell  in  sindry  com- 
municationis  concerning  the  capitane  of  Caratak.    Mony  of  thaim 
Uiocht  the  taking  of  him  na  les  honorabil  to  Romanis,  than  was 
tlie  taking  of  King  Syphax  be  Scipio,  or  Persis  be  L.  Paulus,  or 
the  taking  of  ony  othir  vincust  kingis  be  the  Romanis  ;  and  decern- 
it,  thairfore,  ane  triumphe  to  be  gevin  to  Ostorius.     Caratak  was 
commandit  to  returne  in  Scotland,  leiffand  his  eldest  brothir  and 
douchter  in  pledge. 

Mony  prodigeis  and  uncouth  mervellis,  war  sene  in  Albion,  that 
yeir  that  Caratak  faucht  with  Romanis.  Ane  gret  battall  of  hors- 
men  war  sene  arrayit  in  the  feild ;  and  sone  eftir,  with  huge  nois  and 
murdir  on  athir  side,  junit  togidder :  bot  thay  evanist  so  suddanly, 
that  na  maner  of  signe  apperit  in  the  feild  quhare  thay  war  first 
sene.  In  the  nicht  afore  the  battal,  apperit  to  the  wache,  ane  mul- 
titude of  wolffis,  and  tuke  ane  of  thaim  that  war  at  the  wache  away, 
and  brocht  him  with  thaim  to  the  nixt  wod ;  bot  on  the  morrow,  als 
sone  as  licht  apperit,  thay  brocht  him  agane,  but  ony  bar  me  of  his 
body.  In  Carrik  was  ane  child  borne  with  ane  ravin  heid.  Thir 
uncouth  signis  apperit,  to  na  les  terrour  than  admiration  of  the 
pepil.  The  devinouris  intrepret  thaim  to  signify  gret  trubill  and 
dangeir  appering  to  Caratak,  the  heid  of  the  realme :  nochthe- 


112  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

les,  seing  him  returne  fra  Rome,  but  ony  displeseir,  thay  began  to 
interpret  thaim  to  ane  othir  face.  The  pepill  rejosing  of  Caratakis 
returning,  ressa\it  him  with  excellent  honouris,  and  convoyit  him 
to  the  town  of  Carrik.  This  town,  be  command  of  the  Empriour, 
was  restorit  to  him,  with  Brigance,  Kyle,  and  Cuningham. 

Caratak  past  the  remanent  of  his  lifFe  in  tender  araite  with  the 
Romanis,  but  any  uncouth  or  domistik  weiris  ;  for  baith  his  brethir 
and  douchteris  war  send  hame  to  him,  be  favoure  of  the  Empriour. 
Caratak  leiffit  two  yeris  efter  this,  in  gud  peace,  and  deceissit  the 
XXI.  yere  of  his  regne  ;  ane  prince  mair  vailyeant  than  fortunat,  all 
his  dayis ;  gevand  his  ingine  and  curage  to  defend  his  realme  and 
subdittis  fra  servitude  of  Romanis,  and  to  institute  thaim  in  gud 
maneris.  About  this  time  was  mony  nobill  clerkis,  as  Persius, 
Juvenale,  Senica.  The  pepill  began,  als,  in  all  partis  of  the  warld, 
to  ryis  in  sicker  faith  of  Crist ;  and  all  vane  idolatreis  and  supersti- 
tionis  put  downe. 

And  sa  endis  heir,  the  Thrid  Buke. 


%f}t  jfeirtj  iSufee. 


HEIR  BEGINTSriS  THE  FEIRD  BUKE 


OF  THE 


CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


How  Corbrede  was  maid  King  ofScottis.     How  the  Pichtis  rebellit 
aganis  the  Romanis,  and  slew  Ostorius  thair  Capitane. 

Atarak  beand  on  this  maner  deceissit,  and 
beryit  with  funerall  triumphe  in  Camk,  ane 
riche  and  precius  sepulture  wes  maid  for  him, 
with  hiear  pillaris  rising  about  the  samin  than 
evir  wes  sene  afore,  to  his  eternal  glory.  This 
prince  had  na  airis,  bot  ane  douchter,  to  suc- 
____^  ceid  to  his  realme ;  and  wes  trublit  with  sic 
infirmite,  that  scho  deceissit  ane  virgine.  Eftir  hir  deith,  Corbreid 
youngest  brothir  to  Caratak,  wes  maid  king ;  for  his  eldest  brothir 
deceissit,  as  we  schew  afore,  passand  with  Vespasiane  to  Rome. 
This  Corbreid  wes  of  fers  ingine,  nocht  far  different  fra  his  brothir 
Caratak  in  maneris.  In  the  beginning  of  his  empire,  he  went  in  the 
His,  Ros,  and  Cathnes ;  quhare  he  punist  mony  wekit  schrewis  for 
thair  attemptatis,  and  rewardit  all  thaim  that  he  fand  defendouris  of 
the  common  weill,  with  large  commoditeis. 

VOL.  I.  P 


114  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

Quhill  Corbreid  wes  gevin  on  this  maner  to  justice,  the  Romanis 
began  to  decay  in  Britane :  for  the  Pichtis,  eftir  creation  of  thair 
new  King,  Conkist,  in  hope  to  recover  thair  hberte,  slew  mony  of 
the  Romanis,  heir  and  thair  skatterit  throw  the  cuntre ;  for  thay 
traistit,  eftir  deith  of  Caratak,  na  recountering  to  be  foundin.  Thus 
had  nane  of  the  Romanis  eschapit,  war  nocht  thay  hapnit  more 
haistehe  to  be  reskewit  be  support  of  thair  strenthis  ;  nochtheles, 
mony  of  the  principal!  capitanis  wer  slane.  Ostorius,  inpacient 
to  suiFer  thir  injuris,  come  with  ane  haisty  and  weil  arrayit  army 
aganis  the  Pichtis ;  followit  seme,  ane  sore  battal,  fochtin  with  sic 
cruelte  and  slauchter,  that  the  Romanis  wer  neir  discomfist.  Than 
Ostorius  ruschit  sa  fersly  forwart  to  have  maid  thaim  support, 
that  he  wes  evill  woundit,  and  narrowly  eschapit  untakin  :  noch- 
theles, the  nicht  severit  thaim,  with  lamentable  slauchter  on  ilk  side. 
Followit,  continewal  incursionis,  with  reif  and  slauchter,  as  the 
chance  succedit.  Throw  fame  of  this  victory,  come  sindry  cumpanis 
of  pepill  to  the  Pichtis,  and  gave  occasioun  to  fecht  aganis  the  Ro- 
manis. Bot  skarsly  wes  the  battall  junit,  quhen  the  Pichtis  left  the 
feild,  and  fled,  as  thay  had  bene  discomfist ;  to  that  fine  that  thay 
micht  draw  the  Romanis  to  the  said  place  quhair  thair  ambusche- 
ment  wes  laid.  And  as  thay  devisit,  sa  succedit  eftir;  for  the  Ro- 
manis, following  in  this  maner,  wer  slane.  Als  sone  as  Ostorius  Aves 
advertist  heirof,  he  fled  with  gret  dredour  to  his  tentis  ;  and  wrait  to 
Claudius,  Emprioure,  that  the  Pichtis  were  rebellit,  and  micht  na 
ways  be  haldin  under  Romane  lawis.  Than  Claudius  maid  his  vow 
to  punis  the  Pichtis  in  sic  maner,  that  thair  name  and  memorie  sail 
peris  in  Albioun  ;  and,  to  bring  his  purpos  to  effect,  he  send  in  Bri- 
tane two  Romane  legionis :  and,  nochtwithstanding  the  cuming  of  thir 
legionis,  the  Pichtis  grew  ilk  day  more  insolent  aganis  the  Roma- 
nis ;  and  finalie,  be  suddan  irruptionis,  slew  two  capitanis  of  Romane 
sodjouris,  quhilkis  Aver  assemblit  afore  to  mak  incursionis  in  the 
cvuitre ;  and  partit  thair  spulyeis  amang  thair  fallowis,  that  concurrit 
with  thaim  in  the  said  bergane. 

Ostorius,  trublit  with  hevy  curis,  and  doloure,  rising  of  the 
woundis  that  he  gat  in  this  last  battall,  deceissit,  to  the  gret  conso- 
latioun  of  his  ennimes. 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  115 


How  Manlius  Valens,  Capitane  of  Bntane,  was  discomfist  be  the 
Pichtis.  How  Didius  was  send  in  his  place.  Of  the  Messaige 
send  he  Pichtis  to  Corhreid ;  and  of  his  Answer. 


ffssssm> 


o 


®^ssm 


Storius  beand  decessit  in  this  wise,  Manlius  Valens 
wes  maid  capitane  to  Romanis  in  Britane ;  and  com 
with  mony  auful  legionis  aganis  the  Pichtis,  Followdt, 
ane  scharppe  bergane,  fochtin  lang  time  with  doutsum 
victory.  And  quhen  the  Pichtis  stude  in  maist  danger,  come  haisteUe 
cccc.  men  of  Kendill,  quhen  na  man  belevit,  to  thair  support ;  be 
quhais  cumming,  the  Romanis  war  put  to  flicht.  In  this  battal  wes 
slane  mmm.  Romanis,  and  twa  thousand  Pichtis.  Claudius,  advertist 
of  this  unhappy  chance  falling  to  Romanis  in  Britane,  send  Aulus  Di- 
dius, with  two  Romane  legionis,  to  succeid  in  his  place.  This  Aulus, 
at  his  cumming  in  Albioun,  fand  the  Romanis  in  small  felicite ;  and 
maid  him  thairfore  to  revenge  the  injuris  done  to  thaim ;  and  persewit 
the  Pichtis,  quhare  evir  thay  micht  be  apprehendit,  to  the  deith. 
And  first  he  callit  all  the  Romanis  afore  him,  and  reprochit  thaim 
that  thay  failyeit  to  thaim  self,  and  war  nocht  sa  walkrif  and  provi- 
dent in  al  materis  as  thay  suld  haif  ben,  eftir  the  taking  of  Caratak. 
He  mervellit  eik  that  thay  wer  sa  far  degenerit  fra  Romane  glore, 
to  be  schamfulHe  ouu'thra^vin  with  thair  febill  ennimes  ;  and  finalie, 
he  prayit  tham  to  beleif  nocht  thair  discomfitoure  cummin  be  ony 
manheid  or  virtew  of  thair  ennimes,  bot  onlie  be  thair  awin  necli- 
gence  and  sleuth  ;  and  prayt  thaim  to  be  so  obedient  to  thair  capi- 
tane, that  he  have  no  occasioun  be  thaim  to  leis  his  curage.  The 
Romanis  maid  incontinent  thair  solempne  vowis,  to  revenge  al  inju- 
ris done  be  thair  ennimes.  The  Pichtis,  at  the  first  brut  of  thir  no- 
vellis,  wer  effrayit :  nochtheles,  be  memorie  of  this  recent  victorie, 
thay  began  to  tak  gud  curage ;  and  send  incontinent  thair  ambassa- 
touris  to  Corbreid,  King  of  Scottis,  schawing  to  him,  thocht  thay 


116  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

have  laitlie  conquest  two  victoreis  on  the  Romanis,  yit  the  said 
Romanis,  be  more  hatrent  than  afore,  intendis  to  cum  with  awfull 
incursionis  in  Pentland,  and  purposit,  eftir  the  distructioun  of 
Pichtis,  to  invaid  the  Scottis  on  the  same  maner :  and,  thairfore,  de- 
sirit  the  said  Corbreid  to  send  support,  in  time  to  occurre,  the  pre- 
sent dangeir,  erar  afore  his  pissance  wer  brokin,  than  quhen  his 
landis  wer  so  waistit,  that  he  micht  mak  na  support. 

It  wes  answerit  be  Corbreid,  that  he  knew  weill  how  Didius  wes 
cumming  in  Albion,  with  na  gud  mind  to  him  nor  his  realme ;  in- 
tending nocht  onlie  to  keip  the  landis  conquest  afore  be  Romanis, 
bot  als  to  augment  the  samin  with  new  regionis  and  landis.  Yit,  be- 
caus  he  wes  confiderat  with  Romanis,  he  wald  na  wayis  invaid  thaim 
with  battal,  bot  gif  thay  first  invadit  him ;  for  he  wes  oblist  thairto 
be  contract  maid  afore  be  Caratak.  Nochtheles,  for  defence  of  his 
realme  and  pepil,  he  suld  cum,  within  ane  certane  day,  with  al  his 
power ;  erar  to  mak  impediment  to  Romanis,  than  to  invaid  thaim 
with  ony  battall. 


How  Cartumandia,  Qiiene  of  Scotis,  was  beryit  quik.  Hozo  the 
Scottis  and  Pichtis  faucht  aganis  the  Romanis  with  uncertane 
victory^  and  war  constranit  to  take  peace ;  and  of  the  deith  of 
Didius. 

Ls  sone  as  thir  oratouris  war  depeschit,  Corbreid  went 
with  ane  army  inBrigance.  Didius,  heiring  his  cumming, 
chargit  him,  be  ane  herald,  to  depart  haistelie  thairfra ; 
and  allegit,  it  wes  the  province  and  land  of  Romanis, 
and  grantit  bot  onlie  to  Caratak,  during  his  life:  certifying  him, 
gif  he  wer  rebelland  to  this  charge,  he  suld  be  repute  ennime  to  Ro- 
manis,  and  douno;  be  force  out  of  all  boundis  of  his  realme.  Scars- 
lie  wer  thir  wordis  said,  quhen  tithingis  come,  that  Cesius  Nasica, 
lieutenant  to  Didius,  wes  entrit  with  ane  army  in  Brigance.     Cor- 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  117 

breid  incontinent  gaderit  all  his  pepill  to  ane  gret  strenth ;  traisting 
na  les  honour  to  keip  his  subdittis  but  perell,  than  to  wirk  dammage 
on  his  ennimes :  sine  went  to  Epiak,  to  be  consulit  in  this  maist  dan- 
gerus  mater  with  Venisius,  the  husband  of  Cartumandia,  his  gud- 
moder. 

This  Venisius  wes  ane  man  of  hie  ingine,  and  wes  lang  time  de- 
fendit  fra  injuris  of  nichtbouris  be  auctorite  of  Romanis ;  yit,  becaus 
he  saw  thair  tyrany  and  proud  dominioun  sa  importabill,  he  rebellit, 
and  come  to  the  opinioun  of  his  native  prince.  Cartumandia,  Quene 
of  Scottis,  and  spous  to  the  said  Venisius,  richt  sorowfuU  for  thir 
feliciteis  daily  succeding  to  Corbreid,  and  dredand  hir  to  be  punist, 
(for  scho  treasonabilly  randrit  Caratak  afore  to  Romanis,)  tuke  hir 
husband  and  freindis  be  crafty  slichtis,  and  held  thaim  in  preson. 
Corbreid,  movit  for  this  offence,  come  to  Epiak ;  and,  eftir  that  he 
had  put  the  said  Venisius  and  his  freindis  to  liberte,  he  commandit 
this  wekit  woman,  Cartumandia,  to  be  buryit  quik. 

Ane  cumpany  of  Scottis,  at  this  time,  followit  so  unwarly  on  the 
chase  of  Romanis,  that  thay  wer  belttit  about  on  every  side  with 
ennimes  afore  thay  wist,  and  all  slane.  This  discomfitoure  maid  the 
remanent  Scottis,  within  thair  municionis  and  strenthis,  so  effrayit, 
that  thay  micht  scarsly  be  haldin  fra  fleing.  On  the  fift  day  eftir, 
the  Romanis  went  forwart  to  assailye  this  munitioun  of  Scottis  with 
thair  horsmen :  bot  it  wes  sa  circulit  on  ilk  side  within  ane  mos,  that 
na  horsmen  micht  invaid  thaim ;  and  it  had  na  out  passage  bot  at 
ane  part,  quhilk  was  maid  be  thaim  with  flaikis,  scherettis,  and 
treis.  Nochtheles,  quhen  thir  Romanis  knew  that  the  Scottis  and 
Pichtis  wer  within  thre  mihs  to  thair  army,  thay  left  thair  purpos. 
Incontinent,  Cesius  Nasica,  capitane  of  Romanis,  brocht  all  his  army, 
weil  arrayit,  to  the  feild ;  and  abaid  still,  quhill  the  cumming  of  thair 
ennimes.  On  the  tothir  side,  the  confideratte  pepill,  I  mene  the 
Scottis  and  Pichtis,  went  so  fast  forthwart,  quhen  thay  saw  thair  en- 
nimes in  sicht,  that  thay  wer  out  of  aind,  or  evir  thay  come  to  ony 
straikis.  And  yit  thay  junit  at  the  occasion  of  the  sonne,  and  faucht 
continewally  quhiU  thay  wer  severit  be  cumming  of  the  nicht ;  and 
than  the  Romanis  fled  to  thair  tentis,  and  the  confiderat  kingis  to 
the  montanis. 


118  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

In  the  mene  time,  Didius,  the  Romane  legate,  send  ane  herald  to 
Cesius,  his  leutenand,  and  schew  gret  trubiU  amang  the  Britonis  in 
Walls ;  and,  thairfore,  commandit  him,  to  make  sum  honest  way  of 
peace  with  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  that  the  landis,  conquest  afore 
with  sa  huge  difficulte,  war  nocht  schamefully  tint.  Thir  novellis 
maid  Cesius  to  defalk  sum  part  of  his  curage.  The  confiderat  kingis, 
brokin  with  this  recent  bergane,  send  thair  ambassatouris,  on  the 
nixt  morow,  to  Cesius  to  have  peace ;  lamenting  the  huge  murdir 
and  calamite  falling  to  baith  thair  armyis  be  this  last  battall :  and 
schew,  thau'fore,  it  Avas  sufficient  ineuch  to  Romanis  to  have  the 
confiderat  kingis  as  thair  freindis  in  times  cuming ;  for  thay  war  sa 
obstinat,  that  na  thing  micht  vincus  thaim  during  thair  liffe.  Ce- 
sius, havand  this  honest  occasioun  to  treit  peace  with  the  confiderat 
pepill,  set  ane  day  to  common  on  all  materis.  And,  at  the  said  day, 
peace  was  finaly  tretit  betwix  the  Romanis,  Scottis,  and  Pichtis,  un- 
dir  thir  conditionis :  The  Romanis  sail  keip  the  landis  be  thaira  con- 
quest afore  this  peace,  but  ony  ferder  conques ;  and  sail  nouthir  in- 
vade the  Scottis  nor  Pichtis  with  battall,  les  than  the  Scottis  and 
Pichtis  invade  thaim  first.  The  Pichtis  sail  leif  on  thair  awin  lawis ; 
and  Conkist,  thair  king,  to  regne  above  thaim,  as  afore,  payand  the 
auld  tribute  to  the  wageouris  of  Camelon.  The  jurisdictioun  of  blude 
sail  be  onely  with  Romanis.  Na  Franchemen  nor  Britonis,  that  ar 
fugitive  fra  the  Romane  lawis,  sail  be  resset  amang  the  Scottis  and 
Pichtis.  The  Scottis  sail  rejose  frelie  all  thair  landis,  and  use  thair 
awin  lawis ;  providing  allwayis,  that  thay  support  nocht  the  inha- 
bitantis  of  the  He  of  Man  with  vittallis  or  wappinnis,  for  the  injuris 
laitly  be  thaim  done  to  Romanis.  And,  finally,  the  said  Scottis  sail 
nouthir  support  the  Pichtis  in  Britane,  gif  ony  of  thaim  happinnis 
to  rebell  aganis  the  Romanis ;  nor  yit  invade  thaim  with  battall,  sa 
lang  as  thay  abaid  at  the  faith  of  Romanis.  The  peace  beand  con- 
firmit  in  this  sort,  all  partyis  returnit  hame. 

This  peace  indurit,  but  ony  violatioun,  sa  lang  as  Didius  was  capi- 
tane  in  Britane.  And,  the  saxt  yeir  efter,  he  deceissit  in  London. 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE. 


119 


How  Veranius  was  maid  capitane  ofBritane ;  and  of  Us  deith.  How 
Swetonius,  his  successoure,  put  the  lie  of  Man  to  sal:  How  Bri- 
tonis  maid  new  rebelUoun  on  the  Romanis ;  and  ofsindry  Prodi- 
gies and  MervelUs  sene  in  Albioun. 

Idius  beand  deceissit,  as  said  is ;  be  command  of  Nero, 
Emprioure,  was  send  in  Britane,  ane  new  capitane, 
namit  Veranneus.  Quhen  this  Veranneus  had  visit  sin- 
_  t^iy  pi-ovincis  ofBritane,  he  come  to  Camelon,  and  maid 

sacrifice  in  the  honoure  of  the  Goddes  Victory,  and  Claudius,  Em- 
prioure, quhiik  was  laitly  deceissit,  and  deificat  be  the  Romanis. 

Veranneus,  richt  desirus  to  be  equale  to  his  antecessouns  in  glore 
of  chevalry,  socht  mony  occasionis  to  move  battall  on  his  nichtbouris. 
So  hapnit,  that  certane  Hieland  thevis  of  Scotland,  tuke  ane  pray  of 
guddis  out  of  the  Pichtis  landis.  Veranneus,  traisting  this  sufficient 


120  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

occasioun  to  move  battall,  socht  na  redres  be  reasoun  of  the  peace 
afore  contrakkit ;  Lot  send  ane  multitude  of  pepill,  but  ony  mair 
tary,  in  the  landis  of  Scottis ;  and,  be  frequent  incursionis,  brocht 
away  ane  gret  pray  of  men  and  guddis  with  thaim  in  Pentland. 
The  Scottis,  movit  be  this  outrage,  ruschit  haistely  to  harnes.  Fol- 
lowit  ithand  heirschippis  and  slauchter  on  athir  side ;  and,  in  the 
middis  of  this  trubill,  Veranneus  deceissit.  His  last  wourdis  war 
sa  full  of  vane  arrogance  and  glore,  as  writis  Tacitus,  that  he  bele- 
vit  himself  sufficient,  gif  he  had  leiffit  two  yeris  mair  than  he  did, 
to  have  subdewit  all  the  boundis  of  Albion  to  Romane  Empire. 

Efter  his  deceis,  Swetonius,  ane  humill  man,  was  send  in  his  place ; 
quhilk,  efter  his  cuming,  renewit  peace  with  Albianis :  and,  quhen 
he  hadreparit  all  injuris  quhare  thay  complanit,  he  maid  him  reddy 
to  pas  on  the  He  of  Man ;  for  it  was  full  of  vailyeant  pepill,  and  ge- 
nerall  resset  to  all  thaim  that  haitit  or  rebellit  aganis  the  Romanis. 
At  his  cuming  in  the  said  He,  he  fand  ane  strange  gise  of  battall 
arrayit  aganis  him.  First,  stude  ane  cumpany  of  wod  wemen,  ar- 
rayit  in  furius  habite,  on  the  sandis,  with  hair  hingand  ouir  thair 
ene,  and  armit  with  firebrandis  in  thair  handis.  Efter  thaim,  stude 
the  preistis  namit  Druides,  hevand  thair  handis  to  the  hevin,  and 
makand  maist  terribil  cursing  on  the  Romanis ;  and,  in  the  middis 
of  thaim,  stude  ane  band  of  armit  men,  reddy  to  fecht.  The  Ro- 
manis war  mair  astonist  for  this  uncouth  sicht  of  furius  wemen  and 
preistis,  than  ony  terrour  of  armit  men :  nochtheles,  be  hortatioun 
of  thair  capitane,  thay  went  forthwart  with  displayit  baner ;  and, 
finaly,  baith  thir  wemen  and  preistis  war  discomfist  and  yoldin. 
Swetonius,  efter  this  victory,  garnist  all  the  strenthis  of  this  He 
with  garnison  of  Romanis;  and  maid  plane  eversioun  of  all  the 
woddis,  quhare  the  preistis  usit  thair  sacrifice  in  the  honour  of  thair 
Goddis. 

Quhen  Swetonius  had  dantit  the  He  of  Man  in  this  maner,  he 
was  advertist  that  France  was  rebellit ;  and,  thairfore,  to  peacify 
this  trubill,  he  pullit  up  salis,  and  arrivit  in  Bartanye.  The  Bri- 
tonis  herand  his  departing,  thocht  the  time  ganand  to  recover  thair 
liberte,  and  rebellit.  The  motive  of  thair  rebellioun  was,  that  Ar- 
viragus,  thair  last  king,  left  his  two  dochteris,  and  the  Emprioure, 
heritouris  to  his  kingdome  and  riches ;  traisting,  to  saif  thaim  fra 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  121 

trubill  be  that  way:  howbeit,  all  thingis  succedit contrar  his  beleif; 
for  his  realme  was  governit  be  Romane  capitanis,  and  his  hous  put 
to  servitude,  as  it  had  bene  tane  be  pres  of  battal ;  his  wif,  Voada, 
bet  with  straikis ;  and  baith  his  two  dochteris  deflorit.  The  Bri- 
tonis,  opprest  with  thir  injuris,  and  dreidand  ilk  day  mair  disple- 
seris  to  follow,  maid  plane  rebellion,  and  socht  support  in  all  partis 
quhare  thay  micht. 

Mony  uncouth  niervellis  war  sene,  about  this  time,  in  Albion.  The 
occiane  see  apperit  bludy,  and  mony  deid  bodyis  cassin  to  the  brayis 
thairof.  Wemen  yeid  wod,  and  declarit  terribill  thingis  to  cum. 
The  imagis  of  Claudius,  beside  Camelon,  fel  down  in  dros ;  and  the 
image  of  Victory  fell  down  fra  the  alter  on  hir  bak,  as  scho  had 
bene  vincust.  The  spaymen  said,  thir  prodigies  signifyit  gret  dam- 
mage  appering  to  Romanis.  The  Pichtis  quhilkis  war  in  Camelon 
and  othir  munitionis  thair  beside,  herand  this  ansAver,  wer  ereckit 
in  esperance  of  better  fortoun ;  and  nocht  only  maid  privat  conspi- 
ration aganis  the  Romanis,  bot  slew  mony  of  thair  wageouris,  afore 
thair  rebellion  was  patent.  The  agit  Romanis,  in  quhome  the 
Pichtis  had  maist  hatrent,  war  slane  in  gret  nowmer,  and  the  residew 
chasit  out  of  al  boundis  gevin  to  thaim  for  lang  service  ;  and,  finaly, 
thir  agit  Romanis  fled  to  ane  auJd  tempill,  within  the  boundis  'of 
Berwik,  quhare  thay  war  al  slane  be  the  inhabitantis  of  that  region. 
Petus  Cerealis,  Heutenant  to  Swetonius,  desiring  to  support  thir 
agit  capitanis,  come  with  ane  legioun  of  Romanis,  and  ane  cumpa- 
ny  of  horsmen ;  nochtheles,  his  legion  was  discomfist,  and  himself 
chasit  to  the  Romane  tentis.  The  nixt  nicht,  he  fled  to  Cattus,  pro- 
curatour  of  Britane,  quhilk  was  for  that  time  in  Kent.  Als  sone  as 
Cattus  was  advertist  of  the  trubill  ilk  day  rising  in  Britane,  he  fled, 
for  feir  of  his  lif,  in  France. 


VOL.  I. 


122  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


Of  the  Complaint  maid  he  Voada,  Quene  of  Britonis,  to  Corbreid. 
Of  Ids  Message  send  to  Catttis.  Of  Cattus  answer.  Ofsindry 
Incursionis  maid  be  Scottis  on  the  Romanis.  And  of  the  first 
cuming  of  Murrayis  in  Scotland. 


Oada,  Quene  of  Britonis,  opprest  with  daily  injure  of 
Romanis,  send  hir  secretar  to  hir  brothir  Corbreid, 
King  of  Scottis,  complening  hir  mesirie  and  trouble ; 
hir  dochteris  deflorit ;  and  hirself  sa  schamefully  doung 
be  the  Romanis,  that  pacience  micht  nocht  availl,  hot  onely  to  be 
ane  place  to  new  injuris.  Sum  time  wes  bot  ane  king  in  Britane, 
bot  than  rang  two  kingis,  the  legat,  and  the  Romane  procuratour ; 
that  ane  havand  power  to  distroy  thair  blude,  and  this  othir,  to  de- 
vore  thair  substance.  That  man  was  reput  maist  nobill  amang  Ro- 
manis, that  micht  defoule  moniast  wemen,  or  make  maist  herschippis 
on  the  pepill.  And,  becaus  na  thing  micht  suffice  to  satefy  the  in- 
saciabil  lust  and  avarice  of  Romanis,  scho  requirit  hir  brothir,  to 
suffer  nocht  hir,  his  onely  sister,  to  be  schamefully  doung,  and  hir 
dochteris  defould,  but  punition.  And  finaly  schew,  how  the  Bri- 
tonis, for  the  infinite  harmes  done  to  thaim  be  Romanis,  war  rebel- 
lit  ;  throw  quhilk,  he  micht  haif  better  occasion  to  invaid  the  Ro- 
manis with  battall  at  this  time,  than  ony  othir  time  afore. 

Corbreid,  movit  be  this  pieteous  complaint,  send  ane  herald  to 
Cattus,  Romane  procuratour,  quhilk  was  laitly  returnit  in  Britane, 
commanding  him  to  redres  al  ofFencis  done  to  his  sister ;  and,  failye- 
ing  thairof,  declarit  him  to  be  ennime  to  Romanis  in  times  cuming. 
It  was  answerit  be  Cattus,  that  na  thing  pertenit  to  Corbreid,  quhid- 
der  richt  or  wrang  war  done  to  Voada ;  als,  it  was  ane  vane  foly  to 
Corbreid,  sen  he  was  bot  ane  rud  and  barbar  man,  to  seme  curius 
in  Romane  materis,  pertening  na  thing  to  his  chargis.  Forthir,  gif 
ony  displeseir  war  done  to  Voada,  Quene  of  Britonis,  the  samin  sail 
be  eikit  with  doubill  injuris ;  for  the  Romanis  wald  nocht  dedenye 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  123 

thair  majeste,  to  satefy  the  desire  of  barbar  pepill  in  ony  othir  sort ; 
and  tuke  na  regard  quhidder  he  war  freind  or  fo,  or  quhat  he 
micht  do. 

Corbreid,  movit  be  this  outrageous  answer,  maid  new  band  of 
confideration  w^ith  Pichtis.  And,  within  schort  time  efter,  the  con- 
fiderat  kingis  rasit  ane  army  of  all  fensabil  men  that  micht  be  foundin 
within  thair  realmis,  with  sindry  Ireland  men,  that  come  to  thair 
support,  and  slew  the  Romanis,  in  al  partis  quhare  thay  micht  be 
apprehendit,  but  ony  ransom  or  piete :  and  in  this  jurnay  thay  tuke 
Berwik,  quhilk  was  than  maist  populus  town  of  that  region ;  and, 
quhen  thay  had  slane  all  Romane  sodjouris  foundin  thairintill,  thay 
kest  downe  the  wallis  thairof  onto  the  ground. 

The  inhabitantis  of  the  He  of  Man  heirand  thir  novellis,  thocht 
the  time  ganand  to  recover  all  thair  strenthis.  Sone  efter,  all  pepil 
of  Brigance,  Carrik,  Kyle,  and  Cuningham,  come  to  thaim ;  and 
past,  in  array  it  battall,  throw  sindry  proVincis  of  Romanis,  ceissing 
fra  na  maner  of  cruelteis  that  micht  be  devisit  on  thaim.  The  town 
of  CarleU  was  nocht  saffit  fra  this  cruelte ;  for,  efter  that  it  was  tane, 
all  the  cieteyanis  thairof  war  slane,  and  the  Strang  w^allis  thairof,  equat 
to  the  ground.  The  wemen,  during  this  fury,  war  sa  desirus  to  re- 
venge the  cruelteis  done  be  Romanis,  that  thay  bure  armour  and 
wappinnis. 

About  this  time,  ane  pepil,  namit  Murrayis,  discending  of  Almane 
blude,  and  doung  out  of  thair  native  region  be  Romane  weris,  come, 
skatterit  in  sindry  cumpanyis,  to  the  mouth  of  Ryne ;  quhare  thav 
puUit  up  salis,  with  thair  capitane  Rodorik,  to  seik  ane  new  habita- 
tion. At  last,  efter  that  thay  had  bene  lang  travehit  on  the  wilsum 
sees,  and  inhibit  to  land  in  France  and  Britane,  thay  arrivit  in 
Forthe ;  quhilk  is  ane  arme  of  the  see  deviding  Pentland  fra  FifFe. 
The  Pichtis  ressavit  thaim  the  mair  plesandly,  that  thay  apperit 
with  Strang  bodyis  to  support  thaim  aganis  thair  pissant  ennimes ; 
and  war  nocht  only  discendit  of  thair  hnage  and  blude,  bot  als  war 
sworne,  sa  far  as  thair  power  micht,  to  revenge  the  injuris  done  to 
thaim  be  Romanis. 

Rodorik,  brocht  in  Pentland  with  the  Murrayis  on  this  maner, 
went  to  the  confiderat  kingis ;  and,  before  thaim,  lamentit  sore  the 
tyranny  of  Romanis,  quhilkis,  be  onely  desire  of  dominioun,  hes 


124  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

subdewit  ane  large  part  of  Almany ;  and  nocht  only  thirllit  the  pepill 
thairof  to  importabil  servitude,  bot  subjeckit  thaim  to  Romane  lawis, 
Siclike,  the  Murrayis,  to  quhom  he  Aves  capitane,  Avar  doung  out  of 
thair  native  landis ;  and  constranit,  becaus  thay  micht  suffer  na  ser- 
vitud,  to  seik  new  habitation.  Alwayis,  it  wes  ane  gret  consola- 
tioun  to  him  and  the  Murrayis,  that  thay,  be  favour  of  Goddis, 
wer  brocht  in  thay  landis,  quhare  thay  micht  revenge  the  injuris 
done  to  thaim  be  thair  ennimes.  And,  for  thir  motivis,  he  desirit 
the  confiderat  kingis,  to  suffer  him  and  the  Murrayis  to  pas  formast 
in  support  of  thair  peple ;  and  desirit,  gif  it  hapnit  thaim,  be  thair 
manheid  and  chevalry,  to  ding  the  Romanis  out  of  Scotland,  to 
grant  thame  wiffis,  that  thay  micht  incres  under  ane  blude  with 
Scottis  and  Pichtis :  be  contrar,  gif  it  hapnit  thaim  to  be  slane,  thay 
tuke  na  cure  of  thair  deith,  swa  that  thay  had  sufficientlie  revengit 
the  injuris  done  be  thair  proude  ennimes.  Thir  desiris  of  the  Mur- 
rayis wer  the  more  acceptabill  to  the  confiderat  kingis,  that  thay  un- 
derstude  thaim  enragit  with  maist  cruell  hatrent  aganis  the  Romanis ; 
jfnd,  thairfore,  condiscendit  to  all  thair  peticionis,  traisting,  be  thair 
incredible  manheid  and  strenth,  to  wirk  sum  hie  displeseir  to  thair 
ennimes. 


Of  the  Orison  maid  be  Voada,  Queue  of  Britonis,  to  the  confiderat 
Kingis ;  and  how  scho  [wes']  vincust  [be]  the  Romanis,  andfnaly 
slew  Mr  self    And  of  the  deith  of  King  Corbreid. 

He  confiderat  kingis,  rejosing  of  the  cumming  of  Mur- 
rayis on  this  maner,  went  forthwart  with  deligence  to 
meit  Voadaj  the  vailyeant  Queue  of  Britonis,  quhilk  wes 
than  gaderit  with  ane  huge  noumer  of  Britonis,  abiding 
thair  cuming.  Als  sone  as  Voada  understude  hir  bruthir  Corbreid 
and  the  King  of  Pichtis  Aver  cumin  with  thair  armyis,  scho  Avent 
forthwart  to  meit  thaim. 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  125 

Eftir  maist  tender  and  hertlie  embrasing  on  ilk  side,  Voada  said 
to  thame  on  this  maner :  "  Had  I  bene  borne,  maist  vaDyeant  cam- 
"  pionis,  ane  man,  I  micht  nocht  have  sufferit  sa  mony  cruell  and 
"  intollerable  injuris  as  now  ar  done  be  Romanis :  nochtheles,  in 
"  quhatsumevir  image  nature  hes  formit  me,  gif  ye  will  concurre 
"  with  me  to  revenge  the  common  offence  done  to  us  all,  thir  Ro- 
"  manis,  that  ar  sa  vailyeant  aganis  wemen,  and  sa  cruel  to  thair 
"  subditis,  sail  sone  se  quhat  vassalage  may  be  done  be  ladyis,  quhen 
"  extreme  danger  occurris.  And,  thocht  I  may  no  wayis  devoid  me 
"  of  wiflie  image,  yit  I  sail  not  want  mannis  hardiment ;  bot  I  sail 
"  fecht  formest  in  the  bront,  with  v.m  armit  ladyis,  quhilkis  ar  all 
"  sworne  to  revenge  the  cruelteis  done  be  Romanis.  We  sail  pas 
"  formast  in  battall,  but  feir  of  deith,  or  bludy  woundis.  We  sal 
"  nocht,  as  othir  wemen  usis,  be  affray  it  for  ony  woundis  tane  or 
"  gevin  be  our  ennimes.  I  can  have  na  mercy  on  thaim  that  hes 
"  invadit  my  freindis  with  sic  odius  slauchter  and  cruelteis.  Thir 
"  odius  tyrannis,  nakit  and  vode  of  piete,  hes  slane  sa  infinit  nou- 
"  mer  of  pepill,  and  deflorit  sa  mony  honest  virginis  and  matronis, 
"  that  thay  knaw  nocht  thaimself,  as  I  behef,  men,  nor  borne  of 
"  wemen.  Arme  yow,  for  this  motivis,  maist  vailyeant  kingis,  aganis 
"  your  common  ennimes,  with  sic  curage  as  ye  sail  se  ladyis  have 
"  afore  yow  :  and  beleif  nocht  bot  sicker  victory ;  for  the  Romanis 
"  ar  sa  effrayit,  that  thay  confide  in  na  thing  sa  mekle  as  in  thair 
"  fiemg.  And  haist  your  army  with  al  deligence,  in  aventure  sum 
"  new  power  come  nocht  with  Cattus,  the  Romane  procuratoure, 
"  throw  quhilk  it  sal  be  the  more  difficill  to  resist;  and,  finaly,  I 
"  beseik  yow  to  rander  nocht  youreself,  your  wiffis,  and  barnis,  but 
"  scharp  bargane,  to  Romanis."  Quhen  Voada  had  endit  this  ori- 
son, the  confiderat  kingis  apprisit  hir  wisdom  and  curage. 

Cattus,  advertist  of  thir  noveUis,  wes  effrayit :  nochtheles,  he  come 
forthwart  with  arrayit  oistis  to  meit  the  Albianis  ;  and  thay  na  thing 
eschewit  his  cumming.  Incontinent,  baith  the  armyis  junit.  At  the 
first  cumming,  all  the  horsmen  of  Romanis  wer  discomfist ;  and, 
sone  eftir,  the  futemen,  on  the  samin  maner.  Followit,  ane  miserable 
slauchter  on  the  flearis.  Cattus,  evill  woundit  in  this  battal,  escha- 
pit,  and  fled  in  France.  The  Albianis,  proud  of  this  victory,  partit 
the  spulye  and  riches  of  this  feild  amang  thaim ;  and  slew  the  Ro- 


126  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

manis  in  al  partis  quhare  thay  micht  be  apprehendit.  In  this  bat  tall 
wer  slane,  as  \vrittis  Cornelius  Tacitus,  lxx.m  Romanis,  and  xxx.m 
Albianis.     Be  this  cruel  slauchter,  the  Romanis  Aver  brocht  to  sic 
calamite,  that  wer  nocht  Suetonius,  the  Romane  legatte,  come  the 
more  haistelie  fra  France  to  thair  support,  the  Albianis  had  bene 
perpetuallie  deliverit  of  Romane  injuris.     This  Suetonius  come  in 
Britane  with  twa  legionis,  and  x.M.  wagiouris  of  sindry  nationis,  and 
tuke  purpos  to  persew  the  Albianis  mth  new  battall.    Voada,  heir- 
ing  the  returning  of  Suetonius  in  Britane,  send  to  the  Britonis  to 
cum  to  hir  but  ony  tary.   At  the  day  prefixit,  come  to  hu'  ane  huge 
army  of  Britonis,  Scottis,  Pichtis,  and  Murrayis,  devidit  in  sindry 
buschementis;  all  atanis  rejosing,  be  thair  recent  victorie,  that  thay 
had  occasioun  and  ganand  season  to  distroy  the  Romanis.     The 
wiffis,  quhilkis  come  with  thair  husbandis,  as  the  custome  wes  in 
thay  dayis,  wer  set  in  cartis  on  the  out  bordouris  of  the  campe,  to 
beir  witnes  quhay  didde  maist  vassalage.  Quhen  the  Britonis,  Scottis, 
Pichtis,  and  Murrayis,  Aver  ordorit  in  gud  array,  Queue  Voada, 
nocht  unworthy  to  be  noumerit  amang  maist  douchty  campionis, 
ruschit  about  the  army,  with  hir  two  armit  dochteris,  and  schew 
hir  not  cvimmin  amang  sa  mony  vailyeant  capitanis  onlie  to  defend 
hir  realme  and  riches,  bot  to  revenge  the  mony  schamfull  and  un- 
worthy offencis  done  to  hir  be  Romanis ;  and  had  na  litill  indigna- 
tioun  in  hir  mind,  that  the  Romanis  enragit  in  so  unbridlit  lust,  that 
no  estait  of  virginis  nor  matronis  wer  left  be  thame  undeflorit :  and, 
forthir,  scho  schew,  how  the  Goddis,  quhilkis  ar  just  punisaris  of 
all  wrangis,  wer  presentlie  cumin  to  beir  witnes  of  the  iniquiteis  done 
be  Romanis ;  and  lies  recentlie  punist  thaim  in  this  last  battall  A\dth 
schame  and  slauchter,  becaus  thay  movit  injust  battal  aganis  fre 
peple.     "  Now  restis  nocht,"  said  scho,  "  bot  onelie  to  fecht  aganis 
"  thay  miserabil  cativis,  that  wer  saiffit  be  thair  schamefull  flicht 
"  fra  this  last  battal ;   and  thocht  Suetonius,  thair  new  capitane, 
"  may  exhort  thaim  to  battall,  yit  he  may  not  restore,  sen  thay  ar 
"  vincust,  thair  curage  and  spreit.     Will  ye  considir,"  said  scho, 
"  your  vincust  and  discomfist  adversaris,  aganis  quhom  ye  suld  noAv 
"  fecht; — wil  ye  considir  your  awin  pissance,  and  the  occasioun  of 
"  battal ; — ye  sail  think  it  honorable,  othir  to  be  victorius  in  this 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  127 

"  battal,  or  ellis  al  at  anis  to  de :  for  nobil  men  suld  cheis  erar  to  . 
"  de  honestly,  than  schamefully  to  leif." 

On  this  othh-  side,  Suetonius  ceissit  not  to  exhort  his  army  to 
battal;  for,  thocht  he  had  gret  confidence  in  thair  manheid,  he  re- 
quirit  thaim  to  regard  iiocht  the  vane  minassing  of  harbour  pepill, 
amang  quhom  wes  more  noumer  of  wemen  than  of  men.  Thay  wer 
als  hot  young,  febill,  and  unarmit  pepil,  but  ony  cognossance  of 
chevalry ;  and  micht,  thairfore,  the  more  esalie  be  discomfist,  fra 
thay  have  provin  the  manheid  and  scharp  swerdis  of  Romanis.  And 
thocht  his  said  army  wes  hot  of  few  noumer,  the  more  glore  suld 
follow,  gif  thay,  with  sa  few  and  sufficient  pepill,  vincust  sa  huge 
multitude  of  harbour  ennimes.  And,  finalie,  prayit  thaim,  to  weild 
thair  swerdis  and  dartis  maist  ferslie,  to  the  murdir  of  thair  fayis ; 
and  to  have  na  sicht  to  spulyeis,  quhil  the  victory  wer  cleirlie  con- 
quest ;  eftir  quhilk,  all  thingis  micht  succeid  to  thair  plesour. 

Thir  wourdis  of  the  capitanis  movit  the  armyes  to  brim  and  ar- 
dent desire  of  battall.  The  agit  knichtis,  be  lang  experience  and 
use,  had  na  les  confidence  in  thair  manheid  and  virtew,  than  victory 
had  bene  present  in  thair  handis.  On  the  tothir  side,  the  Albianis, 
confiding  in  the  huge  multitude  of  armit  men,  be  sound  of  trumpet 
gaif  signe  to  June.  Folio  wit,  ane  bludy  and  terrible  battall.  Bot 
at  last  the  Albianis  wer  vincust,  chasit,  and  put  to  flicht  with  gret 
slauchter :  and  the  more  slauchter  followit,  that  thair  army  wes  cir- 
culit  on  every  side  with  sic  multitude  of  cartis,  that  the  discomfist 
pepill  had  na  place  to  fle.  The  Romanis  slew  all  the  wemen  in  this 
battal  but  ony  piete  or  ransoun.  This  battall  wes  honest,  bot  richt 
unplesand  to  Romanis ;  for  the  maist  part  of  thair  army  wer  tint. 

In  this  battaU  wes  slane,  as  Tacitus  writtis,  lxxx.m  Albianis. 
The  Murrayis,  for  the  maist  part,  wer  aU  slane,  with  thair  capitane 
Rodorik.  Quene  Voada,  that  scho  suld  nocht  cum  quik  in  hir  en- 
nimes handis,  slew  hirself.  Baith  hir  dochteris  wer  tane ;  and  brocht 
armit,  as  thay  facht,  to  Suetonius.  The  eldest  of  hir  dochteris  wes 
maryit  apon  ane  nobill  knicht  of  Romane  blude,  namit  Marius ;  for 
he  bereft  hir  virginite  afore ;  and  wes  maid  king  of  Britonis  be  auc- 
torite  of  Cesar.  This  Marius,  eftir  his  coronatioun,  went  in  Ken- 
dale,  ane  part  of  Britane  hand  fornens  Annandale  and  Brigance ; 
and  namit  that  land,  eftir  his  name,  West  Maria,  that  is  to  say, 


128  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

Westmurland.  King  Corbreid,  brokin  with  this  sorowfull  battall, 
returnit  with  the  residew  of  his  army  in  Scotland ;  and  gaif  to  the 
Murrayis,  quhilkis  eschapit  out  of  this  feild,  all  the  landis  hand  be- 
twix  Spay  and  Innernes ;  quhilkis  landis  wer  callit,  eftir  thame,  Mur- 
ray-land. The  auld  inhabitantis  of  thir  landis,  namit  Vararis,  wer 
expellit;  becaus  thay  wer  ane  seditious  pepill,  and  more  gevin  to 
civill  weris,  for  dissentioun  of  thaimself  and  thair  nichtbouris,  than 
ony  defence  of  the  realme.  The  Murrayis  wer  than  maryit  on 
Scottis  virginis,  and  grew  under  ane  blude  and  amite  with  the 
Scottis. 

Corbreid  past  the  remanent  of  his  dayis  but  ony  weris :  for  the 
Romanis  wer  so  irkit  with  civill  battallis,  that  it  wes  gret  difficulte 
to  hald  the  south  partis  of  Britane  at  thair  opinioun ;  and,  for  that 
cause,  thay  persewit  not  the  Scottis  nor  Pichtis,  mony  yeris  eftir. 
This  nobil  prince,  brokin  with  dammage  of  yeris,  deceissit  at  Don- 
stafage,  the  xviii  yeir  of  his  regne ;  and  wes  beryit  amang  the  re- 
manent sepulturis  of  his  progenitouris ;  in  the  first  yere  of  the  em- 
pire of  Vespasiane,  Emprioure ;  fra  the  incarnation,  lxxi  yeris. 


Ofsindry  nobill  ClerJcis.  How  Petir  and  Paule  toar  martirit.  How 
Dardannus  was  maid  King"  of  Scottis ;  and  slane  for  his  ty- 
ranny. 

Ony  nobill  Clerkis  flurist  about  this  time  in  Itale ;  as, 
Statius,  Persius,  and  Plutercus.  And  the  faith  of  Christ 
began  to  spreid  fast  in  al  partis,  throw  preching  of  the 
^^  haly  apostolis,  Peter  and  Paule  ;  quhilkis  gave  thair 
hale  attendans,  as  gud  hirdis,  to  instruct  thair  flok  in  the  sicker  faith, 
but  ony  respect  to  riches,  or  feir  of  thair  liffis ;  quhill,  at  last,  thay 
wer  baith  slane  in  Rome,  be  the  wickit  Nero.  Peter  wes  hingit  be 
the  feit,  in  a  place  of  Rome  callit  Mont  Auri ;  and  Paule,  hedit  be 
the  swerd,  in  ane  place  of  Rome  callit  Porta  Hostiensis. 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  129 

King  Corbreid  left  behind  him  thre  sonnis,  so  yong  that  nane  of 
thaim  micht  succeid  to  the  crown.  Thair  namis  wer  Corbreid,  Tul- 
cane,  and  Brekus.  The  first  of  thaim  Aves  nurist  in  Britane,  with 
his  ant  Voada,  the  vailyeant  Quene  of  Britonis,  with  sic  courthe 
maneris  and  havingis,  that  he  wes  caUit  Corbredus  Galdvis ;  for  yit 
amang  us,  al  pepill  that  is  componit  and  honest  is  caUit  Galdis. 
The  nobiUis,  eftir  the  deith  of  Corbreid,  that  the  croun  micht  re- 
mane  hail  to  Galdus  at  his  perfite  age,  maid  Dardannus  king :  for 
he  wes  nepot  to  King  Metellane.  This  Dardannus  wes  of  sa  large 
stature,  that  he  wes  calht  the  gros  king.  He  wes  richt  plesand  to 
the  nobillis,  afore  he  wes  king,  and  richt  tender  to  King  Corbreid, 
baith  in  weir  and  peace.  The  pepil  belevit,  that  he  suld  have  fol- 
lowit  the  maneris  of  otheris  wise  kingis,  his  progenitouris ;  and,  be- 
caus  he  wes  ane  lusty  person,  of  fair  vissage  and  body,  he  wes  gre- 
tumlie  luffit  amang  the  pepill.  Nochtheles,  his  mind  wes  gevin  to 
maist  elFeminat  vices ;  as  apperit  in  the  end  of  his  life.  In  the  be- 
ginning of  his  empire,  he  usit  the  counsal  of  his  nobillis,  and  wes 
nocht  far  discordant  fra  the  maneris  of  ane  gud  prince :  bot,  within 
thre  yeris  eftir,  he  left  all  thingis  pertenand  to  justice,  and  slaid  in 
every  kind  of  vice ;  and,  be  counsall  of  certane  Avikkit  schrewis,  his 
famiharis,  he  tuke  all  officis,  concerning  publik  ministratioun  of  jus- 
tice, fra  wise  and  nobil  men,  and  gave  thame  to  vicious  rebaldis, 
that  assistit  to  his  insolence  and  lust ;  and  had  all  wise  and  virtews 
personis  in  na  les  hatrent  than  suspitioun.  At  last,  quhen  he  had 
waistit  his  substance  and  tresour  be  assistance  of  thir  unhappy  lim- 
maris,  quhilkis  had  na  sicht  to  his  honour,  bot  allanerlie  to  thair 
singular  avantage ;  he  become  sa  avaritious,  desiring  uthir  mennis 
guddis  but  ony  conscience  or  reason,  that  he  slew,  be  vane  causis, 
ane  nobill  man  namit  Cardorus,  quhilk  wes  Gret  Justice  to  the  last 
king,  Corbreid ;  and  had  na  occasion  to  sla  this  innocent  man,  bot 
allanerlie  becaus  he  repruvit  his  vices.  Mony  otheris,  nobillis  and 
innocent  men,  wer  slane  be  him  in  that  samin  maner.  Thir  doingis 
maid  him  odius  to  his  nobillis  and  commonis.  At  last,  he  kest  his 
extreme  besines  to  distroy  Galdus,  and  his  two  brethir ;  traisting, 
becaus  the  crown  pertenit  to  thaim  eftir  his  deceis,  to  stabill  the 
same  with  sicker  firmance  to  him  and  his  airis.     And,  to  the  same 

VOL.  I.  K 


130  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

effect,  he  send  ane  servand,  namit  Carmonak,  quhilk  wes  corruppit 
with  his  money,  to  slay  Galdus,  and  his  two  brethir,  in  the  He  of 
Man.  Carmonak,  instruckit  in  this  maner,  come  in  the  said  He ; 
and,  finaly,  quhen  he  had  socht  lang  time  ane  ganand  oportunite  to 
sla  Galdus,  he  was  tane,  waytand  in  ane  secret  place,  with  drawin 
swerd,  quhare  he  beleiffit  Galdus  to  cum;  and  was  brocht  before 
the  Gret  Justice  of  this  He,  and  accusit  sa  scharplie,  that  he  revelit 
in  quhat  sort  he  was  instruckit  to  sla  Galdus  and  his  brethir.  Als 
sone  as  he  had  schawin  this  treasoun  he  was  put  to  deith. 

The  nobillis,  herand  this  treasoun,  conspirit  aganis  Dardannus ; 
for  thay  haittit  him,  afore,  for  his  inhumane  cruel teis;  and,  than,  maist 
of  all,  seand  him  gevin  to  the  slauchter  of  the  kingis  sonnis.  And, 
first,  thay  slew  al  thaim  that  favourit  him.  In  the  mene  time  rais 
ane  man,  of  vile  and  obscure  linage,  namit,  Conanus,  quhilk  Avas 
promovit  to  gret  riches  and  honouris  for  his  assistance  to  Dardannus ; 
and  maid  him  to  gaddir  the  pepil,  in  gret  nowmer,  to  support  this 
tyrane  aganis  the  nobillis:  bot  at  last  he  was  tane  be  thaim,  and 
hingit  on  ane  jebait.  Incontinent,  thir  nobillis  come  with  ane  army 
aganis  this  odius  tyrane,  and  maid  Galdus  thair  capitane.  Dardan- 
nus advertist  heu'of,  and  seand  na  refuge,  wald  have  slane  himself; 
bot  he  was  stoppit  be  his  familiaris,  in  esperance  of  better  fortoun. 
At  last,  he  was  brocht  afore  Galdus,  and  slane.  His  held  was  efter 
schorne  fra  his  body,  and  borne  on  ane  staik  throw  all  the  army,  to 
his  gret  schame ;  and  his  body  cassin  in  ane  maist  vile  closet. 

This  ende  maid  the  odius  tyrane  Dardannus,  the  fourt  yeir  of  his 
regne ;  in  the  sext  yeir  of  Vespasiane,  Empriour ;  fra  the  incarna- 
tioun,  Lxxv  yeris. 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE. 


131 


Hoxv  mony  Romane  CapitaniSf  for  thair  feh'd  administration,  xvar 
interchangeit  in  Britane.  How  Galdus  xvas  maid  King  of  Scottis. 
And  liow  lie  xvas  discomfist  be  PetuUus. 

He  Romanis,  about  this  time,  began  to  decay  in  Albion, 
be  necligence  of  febil  capitanis,  and  dammage  of  civill 
weris.  For  Swetonius,  legat  of  Britane,  for  his  arrogance 
and  cruelte  usit  on  the  Britonis,  was  deponit ;  and  Pe- 
tranius  Turpilianus,  as  mair  merciful  capitane,  was  send  in  his  place. 
This  Turpilianus,  at  his  cuming  in  Britane,  mesit  all  seditioun  and 
trubill  amang  the  Romanis ;  and  randerit  all  thair  provinces  to  ane 
new  capitane,  namit  Trebellius  Maximus,  ane  man  of  slaw  curage, 
havand  litill  experience  of  chevalry.  This  Trebellius,  seand  gret 
sedition  and  trubill  apperand  to  rise,  throw  lang  peace,  in  his  army ; 
he  randerit  the  samin  to  ane  othir  capitane,  namit  Vectius  Velanus : 
quhilkis,  on  the  samin  maner,  dantit  the  Britonis  mair  with  amite 
and  kindnes,  than  ony  auctorite :  and  he  was  in  the  time  of  Galdus, 
of  quhilk  sail  be  oure  history  nixt  following. 

Efter  the  deith  of  Dardannus,  the  nobillis  set  ane  counsal,  and 
fand  the  said  Galdus  baith  richtuous  aire  to  the  crown,  and  ane 
maist  excellent  person,  dotat  ^vith  sindry  wtewis,  and  hie  preroga- 
tivis ;  and,  thairfore,  crownit  him  in  the  fatall  chiar  of  marbill. 

Galdus,  eftir  his  coronatioun,  maid  sacrifice  to  the  Goddis  for  the 
felicite  fallin  to  him ;  sine  gaif  thankis  to  his  nobillis  and  remanent 
pepill,  and  promittit,  to  govern  his  realme  be  consultatioun  of  the 
maist  prudent  and  nobil  men  thairof :  throw  quhilk  he  wan  gret  fa- 
vour and  luf  of  his  pepil.  He  wes  of  young  and  flurisant  age,  and 
nocht  unlik  to  Corbreid,  his  vailyeant  fader.  Forthir,  he  wes  of  no- 
bill  and  anciant  blude  of  baith  his  parentis :  his  modir  wes  the 
King  of  Pichtis  douchter,  discending  be  lang  linage  of  kingis: 
quhairthrow,  na  thing  failyeit  to  him  that  micht  conques  the  favour 
of  his  pepil.  In  the  beginning  of  his  empire  he  set  him  to  punis  the 


132  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

wickit  consalouris  of  Dardannus,  be  quhome  the  realme  wes  mis- 
governit,  and  brocht  to  gret  truble.  Sic  thingis  done,  he  past  throw 
sindry  boundis  of  his  reahne,  and  maid  sic  punitioun  on  trespas- 
souris,  that  he  stabillit  his  reahne  in  gret  tranquilUte. 

In  the  niene  time  come  to  him  the  Murrayis,  and  schew  thaim  re- 
josit  that  Dardannus,  the  invasour  of  the  common  weill,  wes  dis- 
troyit.  The  cumming  of  Mun-ayis  was  the  more  acceptabill  to  the 
king,  that  thay  brocht  sindry  oppressouris  and  thevis  to  his  justice ; 
quhilkis  war  sone  efter  punist  to  the  deith.  Nocht  lang  efter,  ane 
counsall  ^vas  set  in  Dounstafage,  quhare  mony  nobill  actis  war  de- 
visit  for  the  commoun  weil ;  and  the  wickit  law  of  Ewin,  quhare 
the  wiffis  of  the  commonis  was  fre  to  the  nobillis,  abrogat  and  an- 
nulHt.  And  yit  he  could  nocht  purches  the  remanent  cursit  lawis 
of  King  Ewin  to  be  revocat;  for  all  the  young  nobillis  war  repug- 
nant thairto. 

Quhill  Galdus  was  gevin  to  sic  besines,  come  novellis  to  him,  that 
ane  new  capitane,  namit  Petulius  Cereahs,  was  send  be  Vespasiane, 
with  ane  army  in  Britane,  to  recover  the  landis  tint  afore  be  necli- 
gence  of  febill  capitanis ;  and  purposit  to  cum  haistely  in  Annan- 
dale  and  Brigance.  Galdus  richt  astonist  be  thir  novellis,  howbeit 
he  walde  proclame  na  weiris  quhill  he  war  mair  surely  advertist,  send 
his  spyis  to  explore  the  counsall  of  Romanis.  Thir  spyis  returnit 
with  diligence ;  and  schew,  how  the  Romanis  war  cumming,  baith  in 
Mers  and  Berwik,  with  mair  awfull  ordinance  than  ever  was  sene 
afore  in  Albioun ;  the  bestiail  drevin  away ;  the  cornis  and  insicht 
brint;  and  ane  gret  nowmer  of  Pichtis,  quhilkis  invadit  the  Ro- 
manis in  defence  of  thair  a\vin  guddis,  slane. 

The  Scottis,  richt  affrayit  be  thir  novelUs,  said,  the  Britonis  war 
unkind,  quhilkis  wald  not  advertis  thaim  of  the  cumming  of  Ro- 
manis ;  considering  thay  laitly  faucht  neir  to  the  uter  exterminioun 
of  thaimself,  for  defence  onelie  of  the  said  Britonis.  Nochtheles, 
Galdus  set  him  to  meit  the  Romanis  afore  thair  cumming  in  his 
realme ;  a\id  assemblit  ane  Strang  cumpany,  to  the  nowmer  of  fifty 
thousand  men.  Few  Scottis  that  micht  beir  armour,  Avar  absent 
that  day. 

Quhen  Galdus  was  passand  forthwart  on  this  maner,  apperit  sin- 
dry uncouth  mervellis  to  his  sicht.  Ane  egill  flew  all  day,  with  gret 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  133 

laubour,  above  his  army ;  to  na  les  terrour  than  admiratioun  of  his 
pepill :  for  it  was  interprete,  that  the  Scottis  suld  be  distroyit  be  the 
egill,  qiihilk  is  the  ansenye  of  Romanis.  Nochtheles,  Galdus  re- 
quirit  thaim  to  have  gud  esperance ;  for  he  interpret,  that  the  said 
day  suld  put  the  Romanis  to  gret  lauboure.  Ane  armit  knicht  Avas 
sene  fleing  in  the  air ;  and,  quhen  he  had  floin  round  about  aU  his 
army,  he  suddanly  evanist  out  of  sicht.  The  hft  apperit  dirk,  and 
full  of  clouddis.  Divers  fowlis  fell  out  of  the  air,  full  of  blude,  in 
the  place  quhare  the  battallis  efter  junit.  Galdus,  nochtwithstand- 
ing  thir  sorowfuU  and  uncouth  prodigies  appering  sa  suddanly  in 
the  face  of  his  army,  allegit,  that  thay  signifyit  gret  fehcite  to  his 
pepil;  and  perswadit  thaim  to  pas  forthwart  with  gud  esperance 
of  victory. 

In  the  mene  time  come  novellis,  that  the  Romanis  war  enterit  in 
Brigance  with  mair  pissance  than  evir  thay  come  afore  in  thay 
boundis,  wHth  purpos  nocht  onely  to  fecht,  bot,  be  plane  conques, 
to  sit  downe  in  thay  landis ;  for  thay  had  sic  confidence  in  thair 
chevalry  and  manheid,  that  na  power  of  erdly  creatouris  micht  im- 
pesche  thaim  fra  thair  purpos.  Galdus,  na  thing  aifrayit  thairof, 
thocht  to  meit  the  Romanis  with  sic  hard  chevalry  as  he  was  lernit 
be  his  eldaris ;  trasting,  efter  sa  mony  happy  chancis  falling  to 
Romanis,  that  Fortoun,  the  instabill  gidar  of  mortall  creatouris,  sail 
sum  time  bring  the  Romanis,  be  hid  waching,  to  ruine :  for  the 
Goddis,  oft  times,  ar  sene  favorabill  to  all  pepill  that  justly  defendis 
thaimself  fra  injure  of  ennimes.  Sum  men  perswadit  the  king  to 
invade  nocht  haistely  his  ennimes,  bot  to  tary  with  ane  few  pepill, 
and  suffer  the  residew  of  his  folkis  to  returne  hame ;  to  that  fine, 
that  the  Romanis  micht  be  constranit,  throw  laik  of  vittallis,  outhir 
to  depart  out  of  Brigance,  or  elhs  to  be  trubilHt  with  hunger,  and 
othir  incommoditeis.  This  counsall  was  weil  apprisit  be  the  nobillis. 
Yit  mony  of  thaim  dred  thair  vailyeant  pepil  to  defalk  curage  be 
lang  tary  ;  for  the  Scottis  at  thair  first  assemblance  hes  maist  curage 
and  spreit,  and  ar  brokin  with  na  thing  mair  than  lang  tary :  and, 
for  thir  reasonis,  na  thing  was  sa  gud  as  to  invaide  thair  ennimes 
quhill  thair  fury  indurit. 

Galdus  and  his  nobillis  following  this  last  opinioun,  rasit  his  army, 
and  brocht  the  samin,  on  the  thrid  day  efter,  in  sicht  of  Romanis, 


134  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

The  grete  multitude,  and  singulare  manheid,  of  Romanis,  sa  oft  as- 
sailyeit  with  frequent  victoryis,  maid  the  Scottis  sa  astonist,  that  aU 
thair  esperance  of  victory  was  turnit  in  maist  drery  soUicitude.  Yit, 
he  hortation  of  thair  prudent  capitanis,  thay  enforsit  thaimself  to 
new  curage ;  and  maid  invocatioun  to  thair  Goddis  to  send  thaim 
victory.  Incontinent,  baith  the  armyis  junit,  with  uncredibil  fury. 
The  Silurianis, — I  mene  the  men  of  Carrik,  Kyle,  and  Cuning- 
hame, — in  the  same  battall  quhare  Galdus  was,  faucht  sa  vailyeant- 
ly,  that  the  richt  wing  of  Romanis  was  nere  discomfist.  Quhen  Pe- 
tulius  was  advertist  thairof,  he  send  ane  new  legioun  of  Romanis  in 
thair  support.  Thus  war  the  Silurianis  ouirset.  Thair  followit  yit 
ane  cruell  and  terribill  bargane,  with  untellabill  murdir ;  for  the  ca- 
pitanis faucht  in  sic  ire,  that  thay  pretermittit  na  thing  that  micht 
pertene  to  forcy  campionis.  Petuhus  yit,  ithandly  went  about  the 
Romanis  quhare  thay  faucht,  and  supportit  thaim  with  new  power 
quhare  thay  failyeit. 

Quhill  Petulius  was  fast  vesiand  his  army  on  this  wise,  he  beheld 
Galdus  fechtand,  with  gret  manheid  and  spreit,  amid  his  fois ;  and 
incontinent,  enkendelit  with  michty  curage,  and  desirus  to  conques 
sum  hie  honoure  be  notabill  and  soveraine  vassalage,  he  tuke  pur- 
pos  outhir  to  slay  Galdus,  or  than,  magre  his  pissance,  to  put  him 
to  flicht.  Bot  than  rais  ane  battall  mair  vehement  than  afore  ;  for 
mony  of  the  maist  vailyeant  and  forcy  campionis  amang  the  Scottis, 
fechtand  with  perseverand  manheid  to  the  deith,  war  slane  in  de- 
fence of  thair  prince.  Galdus,  evill  woundit  in  the  face,  montit  on 
hors,  and  departit  fra  the  feild.  The  residew  of  Scottis,  disparit  be 
fleing  of  the  king,  fled  heir  and  thair  to  thair  best  refuge.  The 
chais  followit  be  the  Romanis  in  sic  ire,  that  the  Scottis  war  slane 
in  all  partis  quhare  thay  war  tane.  In  this  battall  war  slane  xii 
thousand  Scottis,  and  vi  thousand  Romanis.  Galdus,  evill  woundit 
on  this  wise,  coUeckit  the  residew  of  his  army,  and  returnit  to  ane 
castell  of  the  Levynok.  The  Romanis  abaid,  the  remanent  of  this 
yeir,  in  Epiak ;  and  subdewit  all  the  bundis  of  Brigance,  but  ony 
trubil  of  battall,  to  thair  empire. 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  135 


Cfjai?.  atntf). 


How  the  nohiULady  Vodicia  invadit  the  Romanis  zcith  hattall.  How 
scJio  wasjinaly  slane,  and  Mr  army  discomjist. 
» 
ETtiLiris,  legate  of  Britane,  richt  insolent  efter  this  vic- 
tory, and  desirand  na  les  to  eik  the  empire  of  Romanis, 
than  to  succeid  in  equale  glore  to  his  antecessouris ;  ra- 

,  sit  liis  campe,  to  subdew  the  remanent  boundis  of  Bri- 

gance.  The  Brigandis,  be  ithand  incursionis  and  Hcht  battallis,  re- 
fusit,  lang  time,  his  weris;  for  it  was  defendit,  be  decreit  of  Parlia- 
ment, efter  slauchter  of  sa  mony  vailyeant  Scottis,  to  feild  the  Ro- 
manis with  plane  battall,  or  to  jeoperde  the  realme  undir  the  chance 
of  ane  battall, 

Quhill   the  Romanis  invadit  Brigance  in  tliis  maner,  Vodicia, 
youngest  douchter  to  Voada,  quhilk  was  deflorit,  as  we  schew,  be 
Romanis,  and  exiht  be  wraith  of  Marius,  hir  gud-brothir ;  to  revenge 
the  pollution  of  hir  body,  and  othir  intoUerabil  offends  done  to  hir 
modir,  Voada ;  assembht  ane  army  of  Brigandis  and  Britonis,  with 
the  inhabitantis  of  the  He  of  Man;  and  come  with  awfull  battall  on 
the  Romanis,  quhen  thay  belevit  na  thing  les  than  hir  invasion.  At 
the  first  cumming  of  this  army,  was  hard  ane  huge  din  and  noyis,  be 
sound  of  pepill,  Uk  ane  exhorting  othir  to  battall ;  and  incontinent 
come  sa  thik  schoure  of  arro^vis  and  dartis  on  the  Romanis,  that  the 
lift  micht  not  be  sene  above  thahr  heidis.     Thus  war  the  Romanis 
sa  astonist,  that  thay  knew  not  quhat  was,  in  this  suddand  danger, 
to  be  done;  for  nouthir  knew  thay  quhat  ennimes  thay  war  thatllid 
thaim  so  awfully  assaUye,  nor  yit  had  thay  sufficient  manheid  to 
fecht  aganis  sa  gret  multitude  of  uncouth  and  strange  pepill,  cum- 
mand  on  thaim  untimuslie  within  the  nicht. 

Quhil  the  Romanis  war  in  this  affray,  thair  ennimes  ruschit  on 
ilk  side,  with  sic  hardiment  and  curage,  that  thay  brak  the  trinschis 
of  Romams ;  and  enterit  perforce  apon  thair  tentis,  quhare  the  maist 
vailyeant  and  forcy  campionis  amang  the  Romanis  war  slane.  Thus 


136  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

had  the  Romanis  bene  uterly  distroyit,  and  the  Brigandis  perpe- 
tually dehverit  of  servitude  be  Vodicia,  war  nocht,  Petuhus  come 
the  mair  haistely  to  thair  support.  For  Petuhus  met  this  extreme 
dangeir  sa  prudently,  that  he,  with  birnand  flammis  of  pik,  roset, 
and  brintstane,  quhilkis  he  had  preparit  aganis  sic  occurring  jeo- 
perdyis,  withstude  his  fay  is,  quhare  gretest  noyis  was  herd;  and  dang 
thaim,  be  force  of  rage  and  flambis,  fra  his  tentis.  Bot  Vodicia  sa 
craftely  exhortit  hir  army  aganis  Petulius,  that  scho  oft  times  re- 
newit  battall.  Than  was  the  bergane  sa  cruell,  that  al  the  nicht 
following  was  nocht  sufficient  to  schaw  the  ende  of  thair  laubouris. 
At  the  spring  of  the  day,  Vodicia  was  discomfist,  and  hu-  cumpany 
put  to  flicht.  Petulius,  efter  this  victory,  dredand  sum  hid  dangere 
occurring,  inhibit  his  folkis  to  follow  ony  forthir  on  the  chace. 

Vodicia,  provoket  ilk  day  with  mair  injuris,  past  to  Epiak,  and 
brint  the  said  town,  with  mony  agit  knichtis  and  wageouris  of  Ro- 
manis ;  to  that  fine,  scho  micht  revenge  the  injuris  on  the  Romane 
garnisoun,  quhilk  scho  micht  nocht  revenge  on  Petulius.  Petulius, 
to  punis  thir  offencis,  send  ane  legioun  of  Romanis,  and  put  Vodi- 
cia and  hir  army  to  flicht.  Nochtheles,  scho  was  finaly  tane ;  and 
accusit,  quhy  scho  durst  pretend  sic  thingis  above  the  spreit  of  we- 
men.  Scho  answerit,  scho  was  thair  ennime,  and  wald  have  slane 
liir  ennime ;  and  laikit  na  gud  will,  howbeit  hu-  power  failyeit :  and 
had  na  thing  in  mair  hatrent  than  prosperite  of  Romanis,  for  the 
oret  cruelteis  done  be  thaim  to  hir  and  hir  freindis.  The  Romanis, 
but  more  tary,  slew  hir. 

In  the  mene  time,  Petuhus  was  advertist,  that  the  He  of  Wicht 
and  Kent-schire  was  rebellit,  and  Marius  chasit.  Apperit  thus, 
plane  rebellioun  of  Britonis,  les  than  the  trubill  war  the  mair  hais- 
telie  dantit.  Thir  novellis  movit  Petulius  to  returne  in  Britane; 
quhare  he,  vrith  small  deficulte,  dantit  the  Britonis.  The  Romanis, 
that  abaid  in  Brigance  behind  Petulius,  war  gevin  mair  to  keip  the 
landis  afore  conquest,  than  to  persew  the  pepill  with  new  conques. 
And,  in  the  yeir  following,  Petulius  deceissit. 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE  137 


Cfiap^  Centfj. 

How  Julius  Frontinus  was  maid  Capitane  ofBritane.  Of  Ms  mes- 
sage to  PichUs ;  and  of  thair  ansxver.  And  how  the  said  Julius 
invadit  the  Scottis  with  gret  injuris. 


Fter  the  deith  of  Petulius,  ane  vailyeant  knicht,  namit 
Julius  Frontinus,  was  send  in  Albion  with  two  legionis, 
and  was  plesandly  ressavit  be  Marius.  Julius,  efter  his 

cumming  in  Britane,  went  throw  all  the  Romane  pro- 

vincis,  and  persuadit  the  Britonis,  be  mony  reasonis,  to  persevere  at 
the  opinion  of  Romanis. 

Als  sone  as  he  had  pecifyit  thaim  of  al  trubill,  he  began  to  be  de- 
sirus  of  fame  and  glore,  as  his  antecessouris  war  afore;  and  tuke 
purpois  to  subdew  the  last  His  of  Albion  to  Romane  empire :  how- 
beit,  thay  wai-  oft  afore  assailyeit,  bot  nevir  vincust :  and,  to  bring 
his  purpos  to  effect,  he  left  Marius  behind  him  in  Kent,  to  hald  the 
Britonis  under  Romane  lawis ;  sine  came  in  Brigance  with  ane  oret 
army.  Yit,  in  his  passage,  he  did  na  injure  nor  trubill  to^'the 
Pichtis ;  for  he  belevit  thaim,  fra  the  Scottis  war  vincust,  sone  ouir- 
thrawin.  Be  cumming  of  Julius  in  this  maner,  was  na  litill  effray 
amang  the  Scottis ;  for  that  name  was  of  gret  renown  and  estima- 
tioun  amang  the  Scottis.  This  Julius,  at  his  cuming  in  Brigance, 
vesyit  the  munitionis  quhare  the  Romane  sodjouris  lay,  and  ex- 
hortit  thaim  to  perseveir  in  gud  curage ;  for,  be  thair  manheid  and 
vu:tew,  it  micht  happin,  the  haill  He  of  Albion  to  cum  undu-  the  em- 
pire of  Romanis. 

Sic  thingis  done,  he  send  letteris  to  the  Pichtis,  desiring  that  thay 
and  Romanis  micht  incres  togidder  undir  ane  freinschip  and  amite ; 
and  sumtimes  remembrit  thaim,  of  the  misery  and  trubill  falling  to 
thaim  be  the  weris  led  afore  aganis  the  Romanis :  and  to  have  na 
cumpany  with  Scottis,  for  he  was  commandit  be  the  Empriour,  outhir 
to  distroy  thaim  al  uterly,  or  eUis  to  thirll  thaim  to  perpetuall  servi- 

VOL.  I.  o 


138  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

tude.  The  Pichtis  had  thair  desiris  in  gret  suspitioun;  and  an- 
swerit,  Thay  had  gret  adnuration,  be  quhat  motive  the  Romanis 
micht  have  ony  just  occasioun  of  battall  aganis  the  Scottis  :  or  quhat 
suld  move  thaim,  nocht  content  of  the  empire  of  the  warld,  to  seik 
the  last  IHs  of  the  occiane  sees,  and  to  reif  fra  the  Albianis  thair 
native  hberte ;  les  than  thay,  be  insaciabill  avarice,  war  set  to  reif 
fre  reahnes  but  ony  reason ;  havand  na  feir,  nor  dredoure  of  the 
Goddis,  to  be  punist  for  thair  insufferabill  iniquiteis.  And,  for  thir 
causis,  thay  wald  cum  in  battal  aganis  the  Romanis,  with  al  thair 
power,  in  support  of  thair  confiderat  freindis,  for  defence  of  thair 
realme  and  hberte ;  for  the  same  was  nocht  only  proffitabill  for  thair 
commoun  weil,  bot  thay  war  als  bound  thairto,  be  sic  contract  that 
micht  na  wayis  be  dissolvit. 

Julius,  in  contemption  of  this  answer,  was  the  mair  fers  and  pro- 
perant  aganis  the  Scottis ;  and  come  in  Kyle,  Carrik,  and  Cuning- 
hame,  quhais  pepill  war  mair  Strang  than  ony  pepill  that  faucht 
afore  aganis  the  Romanis.  Galdus,  astunist  be  this  new  ordinance 
of  Romanis ;  nocht  with  standing  his  hevy  woundis  gottin  in  this  last 
battall,  gaderit  his  folkis  out  of  all  boundis  undir  his  dominioun, 
to  defend  his  realme.  Than  followit  continewall  scarmussing  with 
licht  hors,  but  ony  greit  slauchter ;  for  Galdus,  be  noy  of  his  woundis, 
set  him  erar  to  irk  the  Romanis  be  lang  tary,  than  to  invaide  thaim 
be  battall.  Followit,  be  thir  incursionis,  mony  sindry  chancis  of 
fortoun.  Sumtime,  the  Romanis  vincust;  sumtime,  victorius :  quhiU, 
at  last,  the  Scottis,  be  frequent  slauchter  of  thair  vailyeant  capitanis, 
war  attenuat,  and  brokin ;  and  Galdus,  be  noy  of  the  woundis  got- 
tin in  this  last  battall,  was  sa  wery,  that  he  micht  nocht  do  the  office 
of  ane  forcy  campion,  bot  was  brocht  on  an  hors-litter  to  Argyle. 

Within  few  dayis  efter,  the  Romanis  come  in  Carrik,  Kyle,  and 
Cuninghame,  and  slew  in  thousand  Scottis ;  and,  the  remanent,  vin- 
cust and  chasit.  And,  efter  this  victory,  the  Romanis  returnit  to 
thair  tentis. 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  139 


How  Julius  Agricola  was  send  in  Britane.  Of  Ms  frequent  Victorijis 
maid  on  Scottis  and  Pichfis ;  and  how  hesubdewit  sindry  of  tliair 
Landis  to  Romane  Empire. 

N  the  nixt  winter,  Julius  Frontinus  fell  in  gret  infir- 
mite,  be  immoderat  flux  of  catter,  generit  of  Avak  hu- 
mouris;  becaus  the  air  was  nubilus  and  donk,  throw 
continual  schouris  of  rane  and  sleit,  proceding  be  the 
hicht  of  montanis,  and  gret  multitude  of  fludis  and  lochis  abound- 
ing in  this  regioun.  This  iniirmite  incressit  ilk  day  more,  be  uncouth 
and  intemperat  cauld ;  and  micht  be  curit  be  na  ingine,  nor  art  of 
medcine.  Domiciane,  Empriour,  advertist  of  his  vehement  dolovir, 
causit  him  to  returne  in  Italy,  to  recovir  his  heil  be  new  air  and 
fude ;  and  send  Julius  Agricola,  ane  of  the  maist  vailyeant  capitanis 
that  come  afore  his  dayis  in  Britane,  to  succeid  in  his  place.    • 

The  same  time,  the  men  of  Annandale  slew  ane  gret  nowmer  of 
Romanis  on  the  bordouris  of  Brigance ;  and,  throw  the  samin  vic- 
tory, persuadit  the  Pichtis  and  Brigandis,  with  the  Silurianis,  to 
rebell  aganis  the  Romanis.  Agricola,  advertist  of  thir  attemptatis, 
rasit  his  army,  and  come  in  Pentland,  with  mair  diligence  than  ony 
man  presumit ;  and,  efter  that  he  had  tane  and  garnist  all  the 
strenthis  of  thair  cuntre  with  his  wageouris,  he  come  to  Camelon, 
Caranach,  King  of  Pichtis,  advertist  of  his  cuming,  gaif  him  bat- 
tall  ;  nochtheles,  he  was  finaly  discomfist,  with  all  his  army.  Efter 
this  discomfitoure,  Caranach  fled  to  Fiffe ;  quhilk  is  ane  plenteous 
regioun,  hand  betwix  two  firthis,  Tay  and  Forth,  full  of  woddis, 
lesuris,  and  valis,  to  the  gret  profFet  baith  of  corne  and  bestial.  In 
it  ar  mony  louchis,  full  of  sindry  fische.  This  regioun  is  now  bair 
of  woddis ;  for  the  thevis  war  sumtime  sa  frequent  in  the  samin, 
that  thay  micht  na  way  be  dantit,  quhill  the  woddis  war  bet  down. 
Agricola,  efter  this,  past  with  his  victorius  army  in  Annandale. 
The  inhabitantis  thairof,  knaAving  his  cuming,  met  him  in  thair 


140  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

scharpest  maner ;  nochtheles,  thay  war  finaly  chasit,  and  slane.  The 
remanent  of  thaini,  that  eschapit,  war  all  slane  be  thair  wiffis,  the 
first  nicht  thay  come  hame.  Agricola,  proude  of  this  victory,  past 
to  the  He  of  Man,  quhilk  rebellit,  mony  yeris  afore,  aganis  Romanis ; 
and  tuke  it  with  litill  laubour.  Quhen  he  had  stuffit  the  munitionis 
thairof  with  Roman  sodjouris,  he  returnit  in  Brigance,  levand  his 
army  in  the  winter  schelis.  The  nixt  simer,  he  come  throw  Bri- 
gance, Carrik,  Kyle,  and  Cuningham;  quhais  passage  maid  the 
pepill  sa  astonist,  that  thay  left  thair  townis  desert,  and  fled  to  the 
montanis. 

In  the  simer  followinge,  he  brocht  sindry  nobill  men  of  Albioun 
afore  him,  and  exhortit  thaim  to  polecy  and  civill  maneris ;  that 
thay  micht  have  templis  and  biggingis  on  the  Romane  fassion ;  and 
to  put  thair  sonnis  to  Avise  preceptouris,  that,  efter  the  end  of  Ro- 
mane weris,  thay  micht  rise  in  virtew,  eloquence,  and  gud  havingis. 
Thus  past  Agricola  the  winter  seasoun,  instruckand  the  princes  of 
Albion  with  sic  thingis  as  apperit  for  thair  commoun  Aveill. 

The  thrid  yeir  efter,  he  come  to  Striveling ;  quhilk  was  callit,  in 
thay  dayis,  the  Dolorus  Montane  :  for  the  inhabitantis  thairof  hard, 
sindry  times,  ane  dolorus  and  lamentabil  crying,  quhilk  come  be  il- 
lusioun  of  wickit  spreitis,  dessaving  the  pepill  with  vane  supersti- 
tioun.  Quhen  Agricola  saw  the  castell  of  Striveling  set  on  sa  Strang 
place,  he  reparit  and  biggit  it  with  sa  crafty  and  sumptuus  lauboure, 
that  it  apperit  unwinnabill :  and,  nocht  lang  efter,  he  biggit  ane 
brig  ouir  Forth,  and  transportit  aD  his  army  be  the  same.  On  the 
morrow,  he  laid  a  sege  to  the  castell  of  Montbennart,  traisting  to 
liave  found  the  King  of  Pichtis  in  it :  bot  the  Pichtis  war  so  asto- 
nist be  the  cuming  of  the  Romanis,  that  thay  left  the  castell,  and 
come  with  gret  dihgence,  under  nicht,  to  cast  down  the  brig  of  Stri- 
veling, laitly  biggit  be  Romanis ;  that  the  said  Romanis  micht  be  in- 
clusit  betwix  Tay  and  Forth,  but  ony  refuge.  Agricola,  weill  ad- 
vertist  thairof,  returnit  fra  the  sege  of  Montbennart ;  and  followit 
with  sic  diligence  on  the  Pichtis,  that  thay  war  constranit  to  geif 
battall.  Nochtheles,  thay  war  finaly  vincust;  and  thair  king,  Ca- 
ranach,  chasit  to  the  watter  of  Tay,  quhare  he  gat  ane  bait,  and  es- 
chapit. The  remanent  Pichtis,  for  feir  of  this  victory,  war  randerit, 
with  all  thair  munitionis  and  strenthis.     Than  Agricola  past  throw 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  141 

all  boundis  of  Fiffe,  Fothrik,  and  Erne ;  sumtimes  biggand,  and 
sumtimes  castand  down,  the  strenthis  of  the  cuntre,  quhare  he  plesit. 


How  the  King  of  Pkhtis  send  his  Ambassatouris  to  Scottis,  desiring 
support  aganis  the  Romanis.  Hoxa  Agricola  invadit  the  Scottis, 
baith  be  see  and  land.  How  the  King  of  Pichtis  was  slane^  be  se- 
dition of  his  Army. 


Aranach,  King  of  Pichtis,  brokin  be  this  last  discom- 
fiture,  fled  to  Dunde :  quhare  sumtime  was  ane  strano- 
castell ;  hot  it  wes  cassin  down  in  the  time  of  King  Ro- 
ife'I'M'S'^  I  ])ert  Brus,  becaus  it  micht  not  be  keipit  fra  Inglismen, 
as  we  sal  efter  schaw.    The  Pichtis  convenit  to  the  said  castell,  and 
exhortit  Caranach,  thair  king,  to  have  na  disperation,  hoAvbeit  his 
pepill  war  brocht  to  gret  afflictioun  and  trubill ;  for  gret  nowmer  of 
thaim  was  yit  on  hve,  baith  unbrokin  with  weris,  and  sufficient,  gif 
the  Goddis  war  propiciant,  to  ding  the  Romanis  out  of  Albion.  For 
it  micht  happin,  that  the  Romanis,  prowd  and  insolent  efter  sa  mony 
hie  victoryis,  may  fal,  quhen  thay  beleif  leist,  in  sic  invy  to  Fortoun, 
to  be  vincust  be  the  pepil  quhom  thay  held  of  vilest  reputatioun : 
for  this  instabill  Goddes  turnis,  with  suddand  quhirle,  the  gover- 
nance of  mortall  creaturis,    Scho  hes  rasit  mony  othir  realmes  with 
gret  feliciteis,  afore  the  Romanis  had  dominioun ;  and  brocht  thaim, 
quhen  thay  war  in  thair  hie  and  soverane  honouris,  to  finall  re  wine. 
It  is  nocht,  thairfore,  to  be  supponit,  that  the  empire  of  Romanis, 
sen  it  began  with  mortal  pissance,  sail  perpetually  indure ;  hot  ne- 
cessar  sum  time  to  have  rewine.  Thocht  thir  and  sic  persuasionis  of 
Pichtis  war  apprisit  be  thair  king,  yit  nane  of  thaim  micht  rais  his 
spreit  and  curage  to  ony  gude  esperance  aganis  Romanis ;  bot  traist- 
ing  thair  majeste  and  pissance  sa  montit  above  the  hicht  of  naturale 
chance,  that  na  pepill  may  resist  thairto. 


142  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

Eftir  lang  consultatioun,  it  wes  concludit,  to  send  ambassatouris 
to  Galdus,  to  have  support  aganis  the  extreme  dangeir  apperand  to 
baith  thair  realmes,  according  to  the  band  sa  mony  yeris  continewit 
betwix  Scottis  and  Pichtis.  Galdus  giaidhe  condiscendit  to  thair 
peticionis :  for  he  had  na  les  indignatioun  aganis  the  Romanis,  for 
thair  wrangus  conques  maid  be  thaim  on  the  Pichtis,  than  on  Scottis ; 
and  thairfore  determit,  erar  to  haisart  his  realme  to  extreme  jeo- 
perde  of  armis,  than  to  leif  ilk  day  in  ithand  displesour,  and,  fina- 
lie,  be  subdewit  to  servitude. 

Quhil  the  confiderat  kingis  wer  gevin  in  this  sort  to  resist  thair 
ennimes,  the  Silurianis,  be  plane  rebellioun,  slew  all  Romanis, 
quhare  thay  micht  be  apprehendit:  and  not  onlie  recoverit  thair 
munitionis,  bot  brint  all  thair  cornis  and  vittallis,  except  sa  mekill 
as  micht  be  caryit  with  thaim;  to  that  fine,  that  na  thing  thairof 
suld  remane  to  the  profFet  of  thair  ennimes. 

Agricola,  weill  advertist  of  thir  motionis,  come  so  haistelie  on  the 
Silurianis,  that  he  dantit  and  punist  thanie  in  maist  rigorus  wise. 
Nocht  lang  eftir,  he  wes  advertist,  that  his  ennimes  wer  gaderit  in 
gret  buschementis,  uncertane  to  quhat  effect,  aganis  the  Romanis. 
Incontinent,  he  followit  thaim  with  gret  violence,  and  chasit  thaim 
ouir  Clyde.  This  riveir  is  dividit,  ane  litill  space,  fra  the  riveir  of 
Levin,  quhair  thay  fal  baith,  nocht  far  fra  othir,  in  the  Ireland  seis. 
And,  nocht  far  fra  the  said  riveir  of  Levin,  is  ane  castell,  more  Strang 
be  strenth  of  ane  crag  than  ony  artificiall  laubour,  namit,  be  the 
pepil,  Auld  Cleuch ;  bot  now  callit  Dunbriton,  that  is  to  say,  the 
Castel  of  Britonis.  Alvvayes,  it  wes  so  stuffet  with  men  and  vittallis, 
that  it  micht  na  waye  be  tane. 

Agricola,  occupyit  with  thir  and  siclik  besines,  ouir-past  the  fourt 
winter :  and,  in  the  spring  of  the  nixt  yeir,  he  causit  the  Romane 
navy,  quhilk  abaid,  with  his  ordinance,  in  the  He  of  Wicht,  to  cum 
to  Lochfine,  beside  Argyle ;  that  his  ennimes  micht  understand,  na 
landis  nor  seis  fre  fra  Romane  dominioun.  And,  quhen  he  had 
brocht  his  army  ouir  Clyde,  he  fand  thair  the  men  of  Lenax,  ane 
pepill  unknawin  afore  to  Romanis ;  and  tuke  purpos  to  subdew  thaim 
to  Romane  empire.  In  the  mene  time,  'he  gat  writingis,  that  the 
Pichtis  wer  rebellit ;  and,  becaus  he  dred  gret  truble  to  rise,  bot  gif 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  143 

the  samin  wer  the  more  haistehe  dantit,  he  left  his  first  purpos,  and 
come  in  Pentland  with  ane  legion  of  Ronianis,  and  dantit  the  Pichtis. 
The  nixt  simer,  he  began  to  serche  all  the  havinis  and  portis  of 
Argyle  and  othir  His  thairabout,  with  his  schippis ;  and  come  land- 
gait  ouir  the  riveir  of  Levin,  to  tak  the  munitionis  and  strenthis  of 
the  cuntre.  The  Romanis  wer  first  irkit  with  scharpe  and  difficill 
passage,  full  of  breris  and  thornis,  to  thair  gret  impediment ;  bot, 
quhen  thay  considerit  the  virtew  and  manheid  of  thair  anciant  fa- 
deris,  na  thing  apperit  difficill  to  thaim :  and  sa,  with  curage  ay 
more  incressing,  thay  dantit  na  le&  the  difficill  passage  of  the  cuntre, 
tlian  the  pepill  thairof ;  and,  finahe,  returnit,  with  huge  pray  of  men 
and  guddis,  to  thair  tentis. 

Sic  thingis  done,  Galdus  maid  ane  conventioun,  in  Athole,  of  all 
pepil  under  his  empire  :  abiding  the  cumming  of  the  King  of  Pichtis ; 
to  that  fine,  that  baith  thair  armyis  beand  junit  togidder,  thay  micht 
the  more  esalie  resist  the  Romanis.  Now  war  the  Pichtis  cumand 
ouir  the  montanis  of  Granyebane,  quhilkis  rinnis  fra  the  fut  of  De 
to  the  castell  of  Dunbritone,  and  wer  nocht  five  mills  fra  the  army 
of  Scottis,  quhen  thay,  be  unhappy  chance,  wer  devidit  in  two  fac- 
tionis,  and  faucht  amang  thaimself,  to  the  gret  murdir  of  baith  the 
partis,  for  ane  vane  cause.  The  King  of  Pichtis,  seing  this  lamen- 
tabil  cais,  ran  feirslie,  but  his  coit  armour,  amang  the  preis,  quhair 
thay  wer  maist  keinly  fechtand,  to  have  put  thaim  sindry ;  and  wes 
slane  thair,  unknawing  quhat  he  wes.  The  residew  of  Pichtis, 
quhilkis  war  left  on  live  fra  this  unhappy  bargane,  knawing  the 
slauchter  of  thair  king,  skaht,  and  returnit  hame. 


G 

|g| 

144  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


How  Galdus  pecifyit  all  seditioun  amang  the  Pichtis.     And  how  he 
Jaucht  aganls  the  Romanis,  and  was  discomfist. 

Aldus  heirand  the  deith  of  his  tender  freind,  the  King 
of  Pichtis,  become  richt  sorowfuU;  for  it  constranit 
him  to  superseid  his  army  aganis  the  Romanis.  Noch- 
theles,  he  calht  his  nobiUis  to  ane  counseal :  quhare  he 
schorthe,  detestand  the  inopertune  seditioun  rising  amang  the  Pichtis, 
prayit  thaim  to  ripely  avise,  how  his  realme  micht  be  defendit  in  sa 
hie  dangeir  thairto  approching.  Eftir  divers  opinionis,  it  wes  decretit 
to  resist  the  Romanis,  erar  be  frequent  incursionis  than  set  battall, 
fra  ony  forthir  conques.  Attour,  prudent  men  sal  pas  to  the  Pichtis, 
to  peacifie  thaim  of  al  seditionis ;  and  ambassatouris  sail  pas  in  Ire- 
land, Norway,  and  Denmark,  to  seik  support  aganis  the  Romanis. 

Be  this  counsall,  ambassatoris  wer  send  to  the  Pichtis ;  and  schew, 
that  sic  dammage  and  cruelteis  procedis  of  civil  weris,  that  na 
realmes  may  stand  in  sicker  firmance  quhare  the  same  induris.  Fi- 
nalie,  the  Pichtis  wer  aggreit  amang  thameself  of  al  debatis ;  and 
Garnardus  maid  king  in  place  of  Caranach  afore  deceissit.  The 
Pichtis,  as  wes  devisit,  send  thair  ambassatouris  in  Norway  and 
Denmark,  to  the  effect  aforesaid. 

Quhil  sic  thingis  wer  done  be  Pichtis,  Galdus  assemblit  ane  army 
fra  all  boundis  of  his  realme,  and  dividit  the  same  in  divers  busche- 
mentis ;  be  quhais  wisdome  and  ithand  jeoperdis,  the  Romanis  wer 
stoppit,  all  the  simer  following,  fra  ony  forthir  conques  on  the 
Scottis.  The  winter  following  wes  sa  tempestuous,  that  na  weris 
micht  be  sustenit.  And,  in  the  nixt  simmer,  quhilk  wes  the  vii  yere 
of  the  weris  maid  be  Agricola,  come  ane  gret  cumpany  of  Ireland 
men  to  Galdus  and  Garnardus,  at  Athole,  quhair  thay  wer  present 
for  the  time,  with  al  the  nobillis  of  baith  thair  realmes.  On  the 
tothir  side,  Agricola,  knawing  weill  the  ordinance  of  Scottis  and 
Pichtis,  dividit  his  army  in  thre  battallis,  abiding  thair  cumming. 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  145 

Galdus,  Weill  advertist  in  quhat  sort  Agricola  purposit  to  invade 
him,  changit  haistely  his  purpos ;  and  come,  within  the  nicht,  on 
ane  Strang  legion  of  Romanis,  quhilkis  wes  not  far  fra  his  army. 
Now  had  the  Scottis  slane  the  wache  of  this  legioun,  and  fechtand 
fershe  within  thair  tentis,  quhen  suddanUe  Agricola,  weill  convoyit 
be  his  exploratouris,  come  with  Strang  buschementis,  baith  of  futmen 
and  horsmen  on  thair  bakkis.  Nochtheles,  the  battal  wes  fochtin 
with  gret  crueltie  and  slauchter  on  aU  sidis ;  quhiU  the  Romane 
baneris,  schining  in  the  cleir  morrow,  schew  Agricola,  with  al  his 
army,  arrayit  fornens  thaira  in  battall.  Incontinent,  the  confiderat 
pepill  gaif  bakkis ;  and  fled,  throw  desertis  and  mossis,  to  thair  best 
refuge. 


Horc  sindry  Almanis  and  Danis  come  in  support  of  Scottis  and 
Pichtis.     Hew  the  Romane  Navy  perist  in  Pentland  Firth. 

E  this  unhappy  battall,  the  confiderat  kingis  wer  so 
brokin,  that  thay  defendit  thaimself,  thair  bestiall,  and 
guddis,  al  the  simer  following,  mair  be  frequent  in- 
,  cursions,  than  ony  set  battall ;  abiding  the  cuming  of 

Danis  and  Norowanis  to  thair  support.  Bot  the  Romanis,  ilk  day 
more  feirs  and  insolent,  be  frequent  victoryis,  and  traisting  na  thing 
possibil  to  resist  thair  soverane  virtew ;  come  throw  the  wod  of  Cali- 
don,  with  purpos  to  serche  aU  the  last  boundis  of  Albioun  :  and  be- 
caus  thay  wer  stoppit  be  strait  ground  thairof,  thay  come  ouir  the 
watter  of  Awmond,  and  set  down  thair  tentis  nocht  far  fra  Dun- 
keld,  quhair  Tay  rinnis  deip,  with  few  furdis,  in  the  Almane  seis. 
This  reveir,  beside  Dunde,  is  two  milis  braid,  deviding  FifFe  fra 
Angus.  The  Pichtis,  effrayit  be  cumming  of  Romanis  sa  far  within 
thair  landis,  brint  ane  riche  town,  namit  Inchecuthill,  quilk  stude 
apon  the  riveir  of  Tay,  that  the  samin  suld  be  na  refuge  to  thair 
ennimes ;  and  fled  with  thair  wiffis,  children,  and  guddis,  to  the 

VOL,  I.  T 


146  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

montanis  of  Grandyeben.  The  samin  time,  arrivit  in  Forth,  ane  cum- 
pany  of  Almanis,  namit  Usipianis,  banist  out  of  thair  native  landis, 
for  slauchter  of  ane  Romane  capitane  and  othir  pepill  undir  his 
band  ;  and  becaus  thay  bure  extreme  hatrent  aganis  Romanis,  thay 
vver  plesandlie  ressavit,  and  ordanit  to  have  certan  landis  to  thair 
habitatioun,  beside  the  Murrayis,  for  thay  wer  baith  of  a  blude. 
And  nocht  lang  eftir,  arrivit  in  the  firth  of  Tay,  ane  vailyeant  ca- 
pitane, namit  Gildo,  with  x.ji  Danis,  to  support  the  Scottis  and 
Pichtis.  Thir  Danis  wer  the  more  plesandhe  ressavit  be  Garnar- 
dus.  King  of  Pichtis,  that  his  common  weil  wes  approcheand  to  hie 
dangeir.  Galdus,  richt  glaid,  and  rejosing  of  the  cumming  of  Gil- 
do,  come  to  Dunde,  to  gif  thankis  to  him  and  the  remanent  folkis 
that  come  to  support  thair  fi-eindis ;  and  eftir  maist  hertlie  embra- 
sing,  Galdus  said  in  this  wise  :  "I  have  na  litil  caus  of  joy,  maist 
"  vailyeant  Gildo,  seing  the,  with  sa  mony  fair  and  lusty  personis, 
''  cumin  but  truble  in  Albioun,  for  defence  of  Pichtis,  thy  anciant 
"  linage,  and  us,  thair  confiderat  brethir,  standing  now  in  sic  ex- 
"  treme  dangeir  andperell.  We  abaid  mony  dayis  your  cuming ;  and 
"  now  we  ar  mair  rejosit  thairof  than  may  be  schawin  at  this  time, 
"  and  randeris  to  the  and  thy  pepil  infinite  thankis  thairfore ;  for, 
"  be  thy  cuming,  sic  esperance  is  rasit  in  our  curage,  that  we  beleif, 
"  be  your  support,  to  \ancus  our  ennimes,  and  banis  thame  furth 
"  of  our  rowmes.  For  quhen  I  behald  the  and  thir  thy  vailyeant 
"  pepil,  apperis  sikker  victory  present  in  my  handis."  To  this  an- 
swerit  Gildo,  he  was  cumin  to  fecht  for  defence  of  his  tender  freindis, 
aganis  the  Romanis,  and  perseveir  in  thair  opinioun  to  his  end  ;  of 
quhilk  thay  suld  have  sone  experience. 

Within  ane  schort  time  efter,  the  confiderate  kingis,  with  Capi- 
tane Gildo,  went  to  Forfair  ;  in  quhilk  sumtime  was  ane  Strang  cas- 
tel,  within  ane  loch,  quhare  sindry  kingis  of  Scottis  maid  residence, 
efter  the  prescription  of  the  Pichtis,  thocht  it  is  now  bot  ane  popil 
town.  Efter  thair  cuming  to  Forfair,  thay  tuk  lang  consultation, 
be  quhat  ingine  the  Romanis  micht  be  resistit.  At  last  it  was  con- 
cludit  to  ceis  quhil  the  winter  season  ouirpast,  to  eschew  the  vehe- 
ment stormes  quhilkis  haboundis  in  this  region ;  and  to  maik  thair 
ordinance  aganis  the  nixt  simer  :  als  ordanit  ane  band  of  chosin  men 
to  be  vigilant  in  sindry  partis,  to  stop  vittallis  cuming  to  Romanis, 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  147 

and  that  none  of  thame  sal  ische  to  invade  the  cuntre  ;  and  to  stop 
that  na  brig  war  maid  ouir  Tay,  that  the  Romanis  cum  not,  be  the 
samin,  within  thair  landis. 

In  the  simer  following,  Agricola  returnit  to  his  navy,  lyand  that 
tune  on  the  Ireland  sees,  and  commandit  thame  to  pas  about  all  the 
boundis  of  Albion,  to  that  fine,  that  na  part  thairof  suld  be  un- 
knawin  to  Romanis  in  his  time.  The  marinaris,  as  he  commandit, 
pullit  up  salis,  and  brocht  the  Romane  navy  about  the  outmaist 
boundis  of  Albion ;  be  quhilk  viage  thay  saw  al  the  His  thairof,  with 
Orknay,  Sky,  and  Lewis.  Bot  quhen  thay  war  cuming  nere  Pent- 
land  Firth,  quhilk  devidis  Caithanes  fra  Orknay,  thay  war  advertist 
of  the  dangerus  flude  rinnand,  thair,  with  sa  quhii'Uand  and  contra- 
rius  tide,  that  na  schippis  may  pas  the  samin  but  extreme  dangeir ; 
nochtheles,  thay  conducit  certane  fischaris,  quhilkis  had  perfite  cog- 
noscence  of  the  said  parellis,  and  promittit  large  proffet,  togide  thame 
throw  the  said  dangeir.  The  fischaris  and  othir  landwart  pepil 
quhom  thay  conducit  to  the  effect  aforesaid,  traisting  na  way  to  re- 
venge thair  deith  bettir  than  to  cans  sa  mony  vailyeant  weirmen  and 
crafty  marinaris  de  with  thaim  at  anis,  led  the  Romanis  quhare  maist 
dangeir  occurrit.  Thus  wes  ane  pert  of  the  Romane  navy  drevin, 
be  violent  streme,  on  craggis,  and  brokin :  and  otheris  kest  thair  an- 
keris,  to  eschew  the  craggis ;  nochtheles,  be  stormy  wallis,  thay  firit 
thau-  takillis,  and  sank  down  in  the  middis  of  the  see.  Ane  certane 
of  thame  come  to  land  on  burdis  and  tabillis ;  nochtheles,  thay  war 
all  tane,  or  ellis  slane  be  the  inliabitantis  of  the  cuntre.  The  rema- 
nent navy  of  Romanis  seing  this  calamite  fall  to  thair  fallo^vds,  abaid 
abak;  and  returnit,  but  ony  perell,  the  same  way  thay  come. 


1 

A 

1 

148  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


Cfjap*  JFtfteentS. 

How  Agricola  hrocht  his  Army  ouir  Tay.  How  Galdus  come  in  de- 
fence of  the  Pichtis  'with  xl.m  Scottis ;  and  of  his  Orison  maid  to 
exliort  his  Army  to  Battal. 

Gricola,  na  thing  knowing  the  calamite  falUng  to  his 
navy,  beildit  ane  brig  of  tre  ouir  Tay,  and  transportit 
his  army  be  the  samin,  nocht  far  fra  the  fute  of  Granye- 
ben ;  sine  left  behind  him  mony  gret  buschementis  of 
weirmeii,  to  keip  the  said  brig  unbet  down  be  gile  or  violence  of  en- 
nimes.  The  Pichtis,  richt  affrayit  of  his  curaing,  send  thair  ambas- 
satouris  to  Galdus,  to  schaw  him  the  dangeir  appering  to  baith  thair 
realmis,  and  desirit  him  to  cum  with  al  his  power. 

Galdus  gaderit,  afore  thair  cuming,  xl.m  chosin  men,  out  of  all 
boundis  within  his  realme,  al  of  ane  mind  to  de  at  anis,  or  ellis  to 
recovir  thair  liberie  be  extreme  jeoperde  of  armis ;  and,  finaly,  he 
brocht  the  said  army,  with  na  litil  labour,  ouir  the  montanis  of 
Granyeben,  quhare  he  met  the  remanent  army  of  Pichtis  and  Danis 
abiding  his  cuming.  Efter  lang  consultationis,  Galdus,  becaus  the 
charge  of  battal  was  gevin  to  him,  said  in  this  maner :  "  Als  oft  as  I 
"  beliald  the  caus  of  battal,  and  our  necessite,  vailyeant  campionis, 
"  my  spreit  risis ;  traisting  this  day,  be  your  consentis,  sal  be  the 
*'  beginning  of  liberte  to  al  Britane.  We  ar  yit  fre  of  servitude ; 
*'  and  thair  is  na  land  nor  see  beyond  us  sickir  in  timis  cuming,  for 
"  feir  and  minassing  of  Romane  navy.  The  preis  of  armis  and  che- 
"  vaJry  ar  na  les  refuge  to  febill  creaturis,  than  honour  to  vailyeant 
"  campionis.  The  battallis  afore  past,  quhare  sindry  chancis  of 
"  fortoun  hes  occurrit,  Avar  ay  led  be  our  manheid  and  prudence ; 
"  and  we,  as  maist  vailyeant  pepil  of  Albion,  dwelling  within  the 
"  bosum  ihairof,  hes  kepit  us  evir  unthirllit  to  Romane  dominion, 
"  be  strait  ground,  and  remote  situation  of  us  in  the  outmaist  partis 
"  of  the  warld.  Now  ar  the  Romanis  cumin  to  the  last  boundis  of 
*'  Albion,  traisting  to  schaw  thair  magnificence  in  na  thing  mair  than 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  149 

"  in  subdewing  of  unknawin  and  outmaist  regionis  to  thaii*  empire. 
"  Beyond  us  ar  na  pepil  nor  refuge,  bot  only  desert  roukis,  and 
"  streme  of  sees ;  and  within  us  ar  our  ennimes,  garnist  in  our  mu- 
"  nitionis,  quhais  proud  tyrannyis  can  not  be  eschewit  be  meiknes 
"  or  service.     The  Romanis,  revaris  of  the  Avarld,  now  quhen  na 
"  tiling  restis  unspulyeit  be  thame,  serchis  baith  erd  and  sees.    Gif 
"  the  ennime  of  Romanis  be  riche,  thay  ar  avaricius ;  gif  thair  en- 
"  nime  be  pure,  yeit  thay  ar  ambitius,  and  desiris  glore  in  thair  sub- 
*'  dewing.     Nothir  may  the  est  nor  the  west  pertis  of  the  warld  sa- 
"  ciat  thame.  Thay  ar  the  only  pepil  of  the  warld  that  regardis  po- 
"  verte  and  riches  be  equal  affection.     Thay  stele,  thay  sla,  and 
"  reiffis  kingdomis  be  injust  conques;  thay  ar  nevir  in  peas,  bot 
"  quhen  thay  ar  solitar.    The  children,  quhilkis  nature  lies  ordanit 
"  maist  deir  to  thair  parentis,  ar  drawin  be  Roiiiane  army  to  servi- 
"  tude :  our  wiffis,  virginis,  and  matronis,  quhilkis  detestit  thair  un- 
"  bridillit  lust,  ar  deflorit,  outliir  be  fenyeit  amite  or  feid.  The  frutis, 
"  quhilkis  nature  lies  producit  of  our  ground,  ar  expendit  be  thaim 
"  in  maner  of  tribute.  Our  handis  worne  with  thair  surfet  laubour. 
"  We  ar  injurit  nocht  onely  with  unplesand  wordis,  bot  maist  vio- 
"  lently  strikin  in  our  bodyis.   Quhairthrow  we  ar  mair  thu'llit  than 
"  ony  brutall  beistis  to  lauboure :  for  sic  beistis  quhilkis  bene  borne 
"  to  servitude,  ar  coft  and  nurist  be  the  biar ;  bot  we  ilk  day  byis 
"  and  fedis  our  awin  servitude :  and,  as  new  servandis  ar  in  deri- 
"  sioun  amang  the  quent  servitouris,  sa  we,  as  vile  and  last  pepill  of 
"  the  warld  in  thair  siclit,  ar  daily  invadit  to  the  deith.    Now  restis 
"  na  kind  of  lauboure,  service,  nor  punition,  to  saif  us  fra  thair  ty- 
"  ranny ;  for  all  pepil  ar  the  mair  suspect  to  Romanis,  the  mair  fe- 
"  rocite  and  manlieid  be  knawin  with  thame.  Thairfore,  maist  vail- 
"  yeant  campionis,  sen  hope  is  nane  to  have  the  Romane  benivolence, 
"  spreit  yow  with  curage,  and  have  mair  respecte  to  your  eternal 
"  glore,  than  to  youre  fragill  livis :  for  gif  Voditia,  the  vailyeant 
"  lady,  micht  birn  ane  towne,  quhen  it  was  strangest  with  Romane 
"  sodjouris,  and  dehver  the  Brigandis  perpetually  of  servitude,  gif 
"  fortoun  had  bene  propiciant ;  it  is  nocht  to  be  traistit  bot  we, 
"  quhilkis  ar  mair  vailyeant,  sal  recover  our  liberte  at  our  first 
"  meting.     And  traist  nocht  bot  Romanis  may  be  vincust.     Quhat 
"  nowmer  of  thame  bene  laitly  slane  in  the  wod  of  Calidon !    Be- 


150  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

leve  ye,  that  the  virtew  of  Romanis  be  als  gret  in  time  of  battal 
as  thair  lust  is  in  time  of  peace.  Thay  conques  honour  be  our 
civil  weiris  and  dissension :  thay  turne  the  vices  of  thair  ennimes 
to  the  glore  of  thair  army ;  quhilkis  is  gaderit  of  divers  pepill  un- 
der divers  mindis,  and  sail,  thairfore,  skaill  als  fast  sindry,  quhen 
adversite  occurris,  as  thay  assemblit  togidder  now  in  thair  maist 
prosperite.  Traist  ye,  that  Franchemen,  Almanis,  and  Britonis, 
quhilkis  ar  ane  gret  part  of  thair  army,  sal  have  ony  othir  aiFec- 
tion  or  faith  to  thair  ennimes,  bot  invade  thaim  quhen  thay  se  oc- 
casioun.  Traist  na  thing  other,  bot  dreid  and  terrour  ar  sa  un- 
sicker  bandis  of  luf,  that  quhen  the  same  ar  removit  and  put 
aside,  extreme  hatrent  sproutis  in  thair  place.  Mony  persuasionis 
apperis  in  us,  to  have  victory :  for  the  Romanis  hes  nocht  thair 
wiffis  present,  to  exhort  thaim  to  curage ;  nor  yit  thair  agit  faderis, 
to  reproche  thame  of  fleing.  Few  of  thame  hes  ony  certane  cuntre 
or  habitation,  les  than  it  be  reft ;  thairfore,  the  Goddes,  in  puni- 
tioun  of  thair  iniquiteis,  hes  laitly  randerit  ane  certane  of  thame 
vagabound  and  vincust  in  oure  handis.  Be  not  astonist,  I  pray 
yow,  for  this  vane  visage  and  schining  of  gold  and  silver ;  quhilk 
may  nocht  defend  nor  wound  yow.  Lat  us  find  our  handis  in  the 
bront  of  ennimes.  The  Britonis  sal  knaw  thair  cans  of  battall ; 
the  Gallis  sail  remember  thair  anciant  liberie ;  al  pepil  of  uncouth 
nation  sal  leif  thame  at  thair  first  juning.  Na  occasioun  remanis 
of  dredour.  Our  castellis  ar  left  be  thaime  wast ;  the  townis  quhare 
thair  agit  capitanis  d^velt,  betwix  evill  obeisance  and  injust  em- 
pire, ar  brocht  to  servitud.  Heir  ar  your  capitane  and  army,  to 
win  glore  and  riches  :  yondir  ar  your  ennimes,  to  put  yow  to  sur- 
fet  tribute,  or  ellis  to  condampne  yow  to  winning  of  mettellis,  or 
sum  othir  kind  of  punition ;  the  quhilkis  sal  be  perpetuall  to  yow 
and  your  posterite,  les  than  the  samin  be  recoverit  in  this  battal. 
Quhen  ye,  thairfore,  ar  to  pas  fortwart,  remember  baith  your  el- 
daris  past  afore,  and  your  posterite  and  successouris  to  cum,"'"' 


mmm 

m 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  151 


Of  the  Orison  maid  be  Agricola  to  his  Army ;  and  of  the  huge  vic- 
tory falling  to  Romanis  be  discomjitour  of  Scottis. 

Fter  this  orison  of  Galdus,  followit,  in  the  army,  gret 
noyis  and  clamoure,  be  desire  of  battal.  On  the  tothir 
side,  thocht  Agricola  beheld  his  army  richt  impatient 
of  lang  tary,  yit  he  said  to  thame  as  followis :  "  Now  is 
"  the  VIII  yeir,  gud  companyeonis,  sen  ye,  be  fehcite  of  Romane 
"  majeste,  with  trew  and  faithfidl  laubouris,  hes  conquest  Annan- 
"  dale,  the  He  of  Man,  Carrik,  Kyle,  and  Cuninghame,  Avith  mony 
"  othir  regionis,  quhilkis  was  nevir  subdewit  nor  knawdn  afore  to 
"  Romane  empire.  Ye  have  sustenit  na  les  fortitude  aganis  your 
"  fais,  than  pacience  and  laubour  almaist  aganis  nature.  Ye  have 
"  na  caus  to  be  penitent  of  me  your  capitane,  nor  I  to  be  penitent 
"  of  yow,  my  gud  men  of  armis.  Ye  have  subdewit  may  boundis 
"  of  Albion  than  ony  army  is  did  afore;  and  I  have  won  mair  ho- 
"  nour  than  ony  othir  capitane  did  afore  me.  We  have  not  socht 
"  the  last  boundis  of  Albion  be  rehers  and  fame  of  otheris,  bot  per- 
"  sit  the  samin  be  Strang  army  and  camp.  Quhen  ye,  my  gud  com- 
"  panyeonis,  war  oftimes  wery,  ouirpassing  the  difficill  montanis, 
"  mossis,  and  fluddis  of  this  regioun,  I  had  gret  compassion,  and 
"  knew  every  ane  of  you  be  your  voce,  criand,  '  Quhen  sal  our  en- 
"  nimes  haif  curage  ?  quhen  sail  thay  meit  us  T  Now  thay  ar  cum- 
"  and  furth  of  thair  dennis,  quhare  thay  war  hid.  Now  may  your 
"  manheid  and  virtew  be  sene.  Every  thing  sal  be  plesand  to  thaim 
"  that  ar  victorius,  and  unplesand  to  thaim  that  ar  vincust.  And, 
"  as  na  litil  honour  apperis  to  us  quhilkis  hes  ouirset  sa  mony  strait 
"  montanis,  woddis,  fludis,  and  dangerus  firthis  of  this  region ;  sa 
"  sail  it  be  ane  vassalage  of  soveraine  honour,  howbeit  it  be  dange- 
"  rus,  to  withstand  fersly  oure  ennimes,  and  put  thaim  to  flicht. 
"  And,  thocht  mony  placis  of  this  cuntre  be  unknawin  to  us,  and 
"  hes  na  gret  plenty  of  vittallis,  yit  we  laik  na  manheid  nor  curage. 


152  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

"  in  quhilk  lyis  the  haill  frute  and  glore  of  armes.  Forthir,  sa  far 
"  as  pertenis  to  me,  I  think,  nothir  is  the  capitane  nor  the  army 
"  siker  that  gevis  thair  backis  to  ennimes ;  thairfore,  honest  deith 
"  is  better  than  schamefull  lif ;  and  hele  and  honour  ar  situat  baith 
"  in  ane  place.  Forthir,  it  war  na  gret  schame  to  our  honoure,  how- 
"  beit  we  war  defait  lieir  in  the  last  and  outmaist  partis  of  tlie  warld. 
"  Gif  ye  war  now  to  be  assailyet  be  uncouth  and  strange  ennimes, 
"  I  suld  exhort  yow  to  fecht,  be  vassalage  of  othir  vailyeant  pepill. 
*'  Now  have  e  to  your  honovire,  and  knaw,  that  tliir  pepil  that 
"  standis  with  face  arrayit  aganis  yoAV,  ar  nocht  bot  the  refuse  of 
"  thay  febil  cativis  quhilkis  war  discomfist  laitly  within  the  nicht 
"  be  your  onely  noyis  and  clamoure.  Thay  ar  the  maist  febill  bo- 
"  dyis  amang  all  the  Britonis ;  and  remanis,  for  that  caus,  sa  lang 
"  on  lif.  And  as  maist  forsy  and  Strang  bestis,  be  thair  awin  jeo- 
"  perdyis,  ar  oft  slane ;  and  as  maist  cowart  and  febill  bestis  saiffis 
*'  thaimself  for  dangeir,  and  fleis  quhen  thay  heir  the  sound  of  ony 
"  cumpanies :  sa,  all  the  vailyeant  Britonis  ar  slane,  and  nane  of  thaim 
"  ar  now  on  lif,  saif  thay  onely  that  be  cowart  flicht  lies  debaitit 
"  thair  miserabil  livis,  and  wald  pretend  na  resistance,  war  not 
"  thay  ar  now  taue  but  refuge :  quharthrow  ye  may  haif  honest 
"  victory.  Pas,  gud  companyeonis,  throw  your  ennimes,  and  finis 
"  the  LI  yeris  weir  Avith  this  solempne  day ;  that  it  may  be  put  in 
"  kalender,  as  end  of  all  your  weris.  Do  sa,  that  nothir  your  lang 
"  tary,  nor  rebellioun  of  ennimes,  may  be  impute  to  youre  necli- 
"  gence." 

Skarsly  was  this  orison  endit,  quhen  baith  the  armyis,  be  birnand 
desire  of  battall,  junit.  Agricola  arrayit  his  folkis  in  sic  crafty  or- 
dour,  howbeit  thay  wer  of  les  nowmer  than  thair  ennimes,  that  thay 
sail  nocht  be  assailyeit  nothir  on  ane  side  nor  othir.  Galdus,  with 
na  les  providence,  arrayit  the  formest  part  of  his  army  on  ane  hie 
mote,  to  discomfis  the  wingis  of  the  Romane  army ;  and  exhortit 
thaim,  with  scbill  voce,  to  perseveir  in  ithand  bergane,  and  outhir 
to  conques  immortall  glore,  or  perpetual  servitude ;  for  that  was  thair 
last  day,  in  quhilk  thay  micht  win  outhir  honour  or  schame.  The 
first  battall  was  fochtin  on  dreich :  for  the  Albanis,  Danis,  and  No- 
rowanis,  schot  ane  huge  nowmer  of  arrowis  and  ganyeis  at  thair  first 
centering ;  nochtheles,  the  Romanis  eschewit  the  samin  with  thair 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  153 

targis.     The  bowmen,  efter  flicht  of  arrowis,  faucht  with  swerdis 
and  litil  buklaris,  as  we  do  yit  in  our  days,  mair  semand  for  nicht- 
boure  weir,  than  ony  defence  of  realmis ;  throw  quhilk  oure  pepill 
hes  gret  dammage,  quhen  thay  meit  with  ennimes  of  uncouth  reahnes. 
The  battal  of  speris,  quhilkis  stude  nixt  the  bowmen,  in  the  brount 
with  Galdus,  ruschit  furthwart  at  anis,  and  bure  mony  of  thair  en- 
nimes, with  mony  bludy  woundis,  on  thair  backis.  FoUowit  the  bilhs, 
axis,  lang  swerdis,  and  ledin  mellis,  with  sic  slauchter,  that  the  Ro- 
manis  had  bene  all  utterly  discomfist,  wer  nocht  ane  band  of  Al- 
manis,  quhilkis  war  send  laitly  in  Britane,  come  the  more  haistely 
to  thair  support.  Attour,  this  Agricola  was  sa  circumspect,  that  he 
stuffit  his  army  with  thir  Almanis  in  al  partis  quhare  he  saw  ony 
danger  occurring.     The  Albianis  seing  thaimself,  heir  and  thair,  sa 
cruelly  ouirset,  war  astonist ;  nochtheles,  seing  na  refuge  hot  in  thair 
handis,  thay  ruschit  al  togidder  in  ane  knot,  but  ony  feir  of  deith  or 
woundis,  with  deliverit  mind,  to  fecht  for  thair  realme  and  liberte  to 
the  deith.     Followit,  ane  sorowfuU  battall ;  for  the  confiderat  pe- 
pill facht  mair  be  force  than  craft  of  chevalry.     Mony  of  thaim, 
sloppit  throw  the  body,  fel  downe  above  thair  slaaris ;  otheris  offer- 
it  thaimself  wilfully  to  be  slane ;  otheris,  efter  thay  had  eschapit 
thair  ennimes,  slew  thaimself.     The  place  quhare  thay  faucht  was 
bludy ;  all  ouercoverit  with  leggis,  armis,  and  wappinnis,  skatterit 
throw  al  boundis  thairof.     Baith  the  armyis  faucht  with  perseve- 
rand  hatrent,  quhill  the  nicht  constranit  thaim  to  sever. 

The  confiderat  pepil  and  thair  freindis  quhilkis  war  left  on  Hve 
efter  this  unhappy  battall,  fled  to  the  nixt  montanis,  quhare  thay 
biggit  firis  to  ouirpas  the  nicht.  Than  come  to  thaim  gret  con- 
fluence of  men  and  wemen,  seikand  thair  freindis  with  mony  sorow- 
fuU sichis,  murning,  and  teris.  Incontinent  Galdus,  that  thir  do- 
lorus  spraichis  and  cryis  sail  nocht  be  patent  to  his  ennimes,  com- 
mandit  all  his  army  to  schout  Avith  schil  nois  and  sang,  quhill  the 
wemen  war  expeUit  fra  his  camp.  The  confiderat  kingis  seing,  on 
the  morow,  thair  power  sa  brokin  that  thay  micht  nocht  renew  bat- 
tall, commandit  thair  folkis  to  returne  hame ;  and  left  behind  thaim 
ane  huge  fire,  bu-nand  with  bald  and  vehement  flammes,  on  the  said 
montanis,  to  the  hevin,  that  thair  ennimes  micht  have  na  presump- 
tioun  of  thair  departing. 

VOL.  I.  u 


154  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

In  this  unhappy  battall  war  slane  xii  thousand  Romanis,  and  xx 
thousand  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  with  mony  othir  pepill  that  come  to 
thair  support.  Gildo,  the  vailyeant  capitane  of  Danis,  ruschand 
ouir  feirsly  on  his  ennimes,  was  slane  on  the  samin  maner  with  the 
maist  part  of  his  cumpany. 


How  Agricola  reparit  Ms  navy,  to  pas  about  the  His  ofAlbioun, 
and  brinf  sindry  scMppis  of  Danis.  Of  uncouth  Mervellis  sene 
in  Albioun.     And  of  the  deith  of  Agricola. 

He  day  following  this  unhappy  nicht,  maid  the  discom- 
fiture of  Scottis  patent  to  thair  ennimes :  for  thair  camp 
was  void,  and  plenist  with  nocht  hot  deid  bodyis ;  but 
.  ony  quhispering  on  the  montanis,  qvihare  maist  gild  was 
hard  afore.  The  Romanis,  traisting  thir  tithingis  proceding  be  slicht, 
inhibit  ony  forthb  chace  to  be.  Otheris,  proud,  efter  thir  feliciteis, 
commandit  vailyeant  and  chosin  men  to  serche  all  the  woddis  and 
strenthis,  to  espy  gif  ony  hid  waching  of  enimes  war  within  the 
samin.  Ane  certane  of  Romanis  following  this  last  counsal,  followit 
sa  unwarly,  that  thay  war  all  slane. 

On  the  morrow,  Agricola,  seand  his  army  sa  brokin  that  he  micht 
nothir  renew  the  samin,  nor  yit  pas  ouir  the  montanis  of  Granyebene 
but  extreme  dangeir,  past,  with  his  victorius  army,  in  Angus ;  quhare 
he  abaid  al  the  nixt  Avinter.  And,  in  the  mene  time,  he  was  adver- 
tist,  how  the  maist  part  of  his  navy  was  lost ;  and  the  residew  thair- 
of,  brokin  with  gret  calamite,  arrivit  in  Argyle.  Agricola  movit 
nocht  his  contenance  for  thir  novellis;  for  he  fermely  belevit  his 
army,  for  this  smale  calamite,  deliverit  of  all  othir  trubill  that  was 
appering  thairto,  be  invy  of  Fortoun,  efter  sa  lang  prosperite  and  vic- 
toryis.  Incontinent,  he  reparit  his  schippis,  with  new  marineris,  and 
otheris  quhilk  had  sicker  experience  of  al  dangeris  and  firthis  in 
the  occiane  sees ;  and  commandit  thaim,  as  he  war  to  fecht  aganis 
all  chance  of  fortoun,  to  pas  the  samin  way,  thay  yeid  afore,  about 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  .  155 

the  His  of  Albion.  This  navy,  be  prosper  windis,  arrivit  finaly  in 
the  mouth  of  Tay,  and  brint  the  flot  of  Danis,  quhilk  lay  in  the 
said  firth  all  the  winter  afore. 

Sindry  mervellis  war  sene  in  Albion,  afore  this  last  battal  that 
Galdus  faucht  with  Romanis.  Mony  birnand  speris  war  sene  fleand 
in  the  air.  Ane  gret  part  of  the  wod  of  Calidon  apperit  birnand  all 
nicht;  howbeit  na  thing  apperit  thairof  in  the  day.  Ane  flot  of 
schippis  was  sene  in  the  aire.  Ane  schoure  of  stanis  was  in  Athole ; 
sicHke,  in  Angus,  ranit  paddokis.  Ane  monstoure  was  borne  in 
Inchecuthill,  with  doubill  membris  of  men  and  wemen,  with  sa  ab- 
hominabill  figure,  that  it  was  discroyit  be  the  pepill.  Thir  uncouth 
and  wonderfull  mervelhs  maid  the  pepill  astonist :  for  thay  war  in- 
terpret to  sindry  facis ;  sumtimes  to  the  gud,  sumtimes  to  the  evill. 

The  Empriour  Domiciane,  heirand  thir  hie  and  vailyeant  dedis 
of  Agricola,  was  richt  sorowfull  in  his  mind,  havand  na  litil  indig- 
natioun,  that  the  fame  of  ane  private  man  suld  obscure  his  imperiall 
estait ;  and,  thairfore,  send  haisty  Avrittingis  to  him  to  returne,  al 
excusatioun  ceissing,  to  Rome,  to  ressave  the  governance  of  ane  new 
province,  namit  Syria,  vacand  be  deceis  of  Actilius  Ruffus,  last  le- 
gal thairof. 

Agricola,  sone  efter  his  cuming  to  Rome,  was  poisonit  be  invy  of 
the  said  Domiciane,  Empriour. 


Hoiv  Tribellius  icas  send  in  Britane.  How  the  Romanis  Jell  in  gret 
divisioun  amang  thaimself.  And  of  the  huge  victory  gottin  on 
thaim  he  Galdus. 

Fter  the  deith  of  Agricola,  Gneus  TribeUius,  was 
maid  capitane  of  Britane,  and  fand  the  Romanis  in 
gret  felicite.  How^beit  the  samin  schort  time  indurit ; 
for  ane  gret  contention  rais  betwix  this  new  capitane, 
Tribellius,  and  ane  othir  capitane,  namit  TribeUianus,  quhilk  of 
thame  suld  have  maist  auctorite  above  the  army.    The  first  was  au- 


fflf  K¥S1 

: 

m 

s^^IZ^ 

156  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

torist  be  the  army,  for  he  was  cosing  to  Agricola ;  the  secund  was 
autorist  be  the  Empriour.  Efter  lang  contentioun,  Tribelhanus  de- 
partit  with  ane  nowmer  of  chosin  men  in  France. 

Galdus,  knawing  weil  this  seditioun  amang  the  Romanis,  come, 
with  ane  army  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  in  Angus,  quhair  this  new 
capitane,  Tribelhus,  wes,  with  the  residew  of  Romanis,  for  the 
time.  Trebellius,  astonist  be  his  suddane  cumming,  tocht  al  thing 
wes  to  be  done  than  erar  be  manheid  and  gud  werkis,  than  be  ony 
consultation;  and,  nochtwithstanding  that  his  army  bure  hatrent 
aganis  him,  he  went  forth  ward  with  displayit  baner.  At  last,  the 
army  seand  him  nocht  do  the  chargis  of  ane  vailyeant  capitane,  dis- 
chargit  him  of  auctorite ;  and  chesit  Sisinnius,  quhilk  wes  brodir  to 
Trebellianus  afore  rehersit,  to  governe  thaim  in  that  maist  dangerus 
aventure.  Sisinnius  refuslt  this  charge,  and  said,  gif  he  ressavit 
auctorite  in  sic  extreme  dangeir,  it  suld  be  occasioun  of  gret  divi- 
sioun  and  truble  A\'ithin  the  army. 

Quhill  the  Romanis  wer  at  sic  debait^  Galdus  come,  with  arrayit 
hoist,  in  sicht.  The  Romanis,  be  suddane  cuming  of  Galdus,  micht 
nocht  array  thaim  in  thair  best  avise ;  nottheles,  baith  the  armyis 
junit,  with  birnand  desire  on  ilk  side.  The  confiderat  pepill  faucht 
vnth  perseverand  manheid :  quhill,  at  the  last,  Sisinnius,  woundit  to 
the  deith,  fled  out  of  the  feild,  and  mony  othir  Romanis  with  him. 
Incontinent,  all  the  army  of  Romanis  gaif  bakkis,  and  fled  to  the 
nixt  wod:  on  quhom  followit  the  Scottis  and  thair  confiderat 
freindis,  with  ithand  slauchter;  quhill,  at  last,  Galdus,  dredand 
sum  dano-eir  to  fall  be  thair  continewal  feirsnes,  callit  thame,  be 
sound  of  trumpat,  to  his  standart.  Nocht theles,  thay  wer  sa  far  en- 
rao-it  with  hatrent  aganis  the  Romanis,  thay  couth  nocht  be  brocht 
thairfra,  quhil  the  nicht  bereft  thaim  the  licht. 

The  confiderat  pepill  passit  the  nicht  following  with  gret  joy,  and 
blithnes  of  dansing,  singing,  and  playing ;  siclike  as  wes  usit  in  thay 
dayis.  On  the  morrow,  the  preistis  come  with  processioun,  in  thair 
maist  reverend  habitis,  and  gaif  thankis  to  the  Goddis ;  quhilkis, 
eftir  mony  calamiteis  sustenit  be  thaim,  mair  than  l  yeris,  in  conti- 
newaU  battall,  had  grantit  anis  ane  honest  victorie  of  thair  ennimes. 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  157 


Cfjaj?*  Binttcmtlj, 

How  the  Romdnis  rear  doung  out  of  all  partis  of  Scotland,  and  sin- 
dry  times  vincust,  be  the  vailyeant  Galdus. 

He  Ronianis,  brokin  in  this  rnaiier,  and  seing  na  sickir- 
nes,  to  abide  in  Angus,  aganis  sa  feirs  and  cruel  en- 
nimes ;  rasit  thair  tentis,  and  come,  within  the  nicht,  to 
Inchecuthill :  and,  quhen  thay  had  transportit  the  re- 
sidew  of  thair  army  ouir  Tay,  thay  brak  the  brig  thairof,  that  thair 
ennimes  suld  nocht  follow. 

Galdus,  advertist  of  thair  fleing,  partit  the  riche  spulye  that  wes 
gottin  in  this  last  feild,  amang  his  army,  efFering  to  thair  manheid 
and  vassalage ;  and,  on  the  morrow,  he  tuke  consultatioun  quhat 
wes  best  to  be  done.  Be  this  consultatioun  it  wes  concludit,  that 
the  Scottis  sail  persew  the  Romanis,  and  ding  thaim  furth  of  all 
partis  of  Albioun.  The  Scottis  incontinent  ruschit  to  harnes,  with 
all  the  army  of  Pichtis  concurring  to  thair  opinioun,  and  followit  on 
the  Romanis  ;  that  the  injuris  so  of  times  done  be  thaim  suld  be  anis 
sufficientlie  punist.  At  last,  quhen  thay  wer  cumin  to  Inchecuthill, 
thay  fand  the  brig  bet  down ;  and  returnit,  thairfore,  to  Dunkeld, 
quhair  thay  transportit  all  thair  army  be  ane  brig  of  tre. 

The  Romanis,  heirand  thair  cuming,  ordourit  thaimself  in  gud 
array,  and  chesit  ane  new  capitane,  namit  Chelius,  to  governe  thaim 
in  this  maist  dangerus  battall.  Sone  eftir,  baith  the  army  is  junit, 
and  faucht  lang  time  with  uncertane  victorie :  quhill  at  last  the  Ro- 
manis wer  vincust,  and  chasit  with  ithand  slauchter,  quhill  thay  wer 
drevin  to  the  wod  of  Calidone.  In  this  battall  were  slane  v.m  Ro- 
manis, and  ii.M  of  Scottis  and  thair  confideratis. 

Sindry  cumpanyis  of  Britonis,  eftir  this  victorie,  come  to  Galdus. 
For  als  sone  as  it  wes  schawin  in  Walls,  that  the  Romanis  wer 
twyis  vincust  be  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  incontinent  all  the  princis 
of  Britane  maid  rebellioun :  and  eftir  that  thay  had  slane  the  Ro- 
manis in  al  partis,  quhair  thay  micht  be  apprehendit,  thay  send  am- 


158  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

bassatouris  to  Galdus,  with  mony  riclie  jowellis ;  schawing  thaim 
rejosit,  that  eftir  sa  lang  rage  of  Fortoun  aganis  him,  he  began  to 
be  victorius  and  fortunat. 

In  the  mene  time,  the  Romanis  send  thair  ambassatouris  to  Ma^ 
rius.  King  of  Britonis ;  lamentand  the  hevy  injuris  done  to  thaim  be 
Scottis  and  Pichtis ;  and  schew,  gif  thay  gat  nocht  support  in  time, 
thay  suld  be  schamefully  doung  out  of  all  boundis,  conquest  with 
sa  gret  difficulte  afore  be  Romanis.  Marius  answerit,  Throw  rebel- 
lioun  of  Britonis  in  sindry  partis  aganis  him,  he  stude  in  dailie  feir 
of  his  life.  Attour,  the  young  wenchis,  gestouris,  and  commoun 
pepil,  sang  dailie  ballattis,  in  derisioun  and  skorne  of  Romanis: 
and  be  that  way,  he  knew  not  quhay  wer  freindis  or  fayis  to  him 
in  Britane.  Attoure,  Domiciane,  Empriour,  wes  so  haitit  for  the 
cruell  slauchter  of  the  senat  and  cieteyanis  of  Rome,  that  nocht  ap- 
perit  bot  civill  battallis :  thus  micht  na  support  come  in  Britane, 
For  thir  causis,  his  mind  wes  set,  erar  to  keip  ane  part  to  him  of 
Albion  with  sicker  firmance,  than  schamefully  to  tine  the  hail  em- 
pire thairof.  This  answere  maid  na  litill  affray  amang  the  Ro- 
manis. 

In  the  mene  time  Aves  schawin,  that  Galdus  wes  within  ten  milis 
fra  the  tentis  of  Romanis,  with  ane  army,  baith  of  men  and  wemen 
that  micht  beir  wapinnis,  to  ding  the  Romanis  out  of  all  boundis  of 
his  empire.  The  Romanis,  for  feu.'  of  his  cuming,  left  the  wod  of 
CaHdon,  and  fled  in  Brigance.  Galdus,  weil  advertist  be]  quhat 
passage  his  ennimes  wer  departit,  set  him,  with  maist  diligence,  to 
follow  on  thair  bakkis ;  that  he  micht  distroy  thaim,  but  ony  recover, 
afore  thay  gat  ony  support  fra  Rome.  In  this  voyage,  Galdus  left 
tlie  seging  of  the  castellis  and  strenthis  stuffit  be  Romanis,  and  come 
with  gret  deligence  in  Brigance.  And,  thair,  met  him  ane  huge  now- 
mer  of  pepill,  sic  as  haitit  the  Romanis,  all  rejosing  atanis,  that  the 
said  Galdus,  brokin  with  sa  mony  calamiteis  and  truble,  wes  nevir 
disparit,  bot  evir  reserving  him  and  his  pepill  to  better  fortoun. 
Galdus  ressavit  all  thir  pepill  with  plesand  visage,  and  persuadit 
thaim  to  have  gud  esperance :  for,  as  than,  he  wes  nocht  passand 
to  battall,  bot  erar  to  sicker  victorie ;  and  the  hard  fortoun  sa  lang 
rageand  aganis  him  and  his  pepill,  wes  brokin :  and,  thairfore,  trais- 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  359 

tit,  behind  sa  mony  cruell  extorsionis  done  be  ennimes,  to  have, 
sumtime,  ane  glorius  victory  of  thaim. 

The  Romanis,  seing  the  confiderat  pepil  cum  in  Brigance  with 
sa  hie  curage  and  spreit,  wer  afFrayit.  Nochtheles,  confiding  in  na 
thing  mair  surele  than  in  thair  handis,  thay  went  forwart  in  thair 
best  array,  sayng,  That  day  wes  othir  the  gait  to  thair  triumphant 
glore,  or  than  perpetuall  schame.  Than  ilk  ane  exhortit  othir  to 
have  hope  of  victory,  sen  thay  wer  to  fecht  aganis  ane  vane  and 
barbar  peple ;  and  to  haif  in  memory  tlie  gret  manheid  and  virtew 
of  thair  eldaris,  with  more  respect  to  thair  common  tlian  singular 
Weill ;  and  erar  to  de  in  the  battal,  than  to  incurre  the  schame  and 
dishonour  that  thay  micht  nevir  eftir  do  away.  Quhil  the  Romanis 
wer  exhorting  thaimself  with  thir  and  siclike  wourdis,  come  haiste- 
ly  ane  hevy  schoure  of  arowis  and  ganyeis,  schot  on  thaim  be  thair 
ennimes. 

In  the  mene  time,  ane  cumpany  of  Britonis,  quhilkis  wer  laitHe 
send  be  Marius  in  support  of  Romanis,  come  to  the  Scottis  and 
Pichtis.  Mony  of  the  Romanis,  be  fleing  of  thir  Britonis,  defakit 
curage :  otheris,  seing  na  remeid,  tuke  the  more  spreit,  and,  with 
gret  force,  ouirset  the  wingis  quhair  the  wemen  faucht.  Than  Gal- 
dus,  richt  circumspect  in  all  his  werkis,  send  ane  cumpany  of  fresche 
men  to  thair  support,  be  quhom  the  Romanis  wer  drevin  sum  part 
abak.  The  wemen  wer  more  cruel  than  ony  men,  quhen  thay  saw 
thair  ennimes  vincust. 

Thus  had  the  Romanis  bene  invadit  on  ilk  side,  wer  nocht  thay 
had  thair  tentis  at  thair  bakkis.  Mony  of  thaim  perseverit  in  bat- 
tall,  and  wer  slane;  otheris  fled  to  thair  tentis:  on  quhom  the 
Scottis  followit  sa  fast,  that  thay  slew  thaim,  heir  and  thair,  and 
kest  thaim  in  the  fowseis ;  intending,  be  filling  of  the  fowseis  with 
deid  bodyis,  to  make  ane  reddy  gait  to  thair  tentis.  Nochtheles, 
the  Romanis  defendit  thair  tentis  with  incredibill  laubour  and  man- 
heid, and  wald  not  suffer  thair  ennimes  to  entre  on  thaim :  quhill 
the  nicht  severit  thaim  on  ilk  side. 


160  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


Of  the  Message  send  he  Romanis  to  the  confiderat  Kingis ;  and  of 
thair  ansioer.  Hoio  the  coiifiderat  Kingis  gaif  peace  to  the  Ro- 
manis. 

He  Scottis,  nochtwithstanding  the  cumingof  the  nicht, 
went  to  the  nixt  wod,  to  bring  treis  to  fil  the  fowseis, 
quhare  the  tentis  of  Romanis  lay  ;  otheris  maid  sindry 
instrvimentis  to  breke  down  thair  trinschis;  otheris 
wacheit  all  nicht  to  stop  thame  fra  fleing,  and  abaid  the  cuming  of 
the  day  with  birnand  desire. 

The  Romanis,  seing,  on  the  morrow,  sa  gret  ordinance  reddy  at 
anis  to  invade  thaim,  desirit  assuverance  of  the  wache,  to  send  ora- 
touris  to  the  confiderat  kingis,  to  treit  peace.  Part  of  Scottis  said, 
Na  conduct  suld  be  gevin  to  Romanis,  and  na  alhance  to  be  maid 
with  thaim ;  bot  victory  to  be  usit  with  maist  rigoure,  and  all  the 
Romanis,  that  fled  to  thair  tentis,  slane  ;  that,  be  thair  slauchter,  al 
othir  pepil  may  take  exampil,  how  odious  it  is  baith  to  Goddis  and 
men,  to  invade  realmes  and  pepill  but  occasiovni  of  injure.  Otheris 
said.  Best  was  to  use  thair  victory  with  mesure,  and  not  to  be  ouir 
insolent  and  provid  for  this  felicite ;  sen  every  pepill  ar  thirlit  to  sic 
uncertane  lawis  of  fortoun,  that  eftir  adversite  cumis  prosperite,  and 
eftir  prosperite  cumis  adversite :  and,  for  this  reason,  the  Romanis 
suld  be  herd,  and  thair  ambassatouris  saiffit  be  the  law  of  pepill. 
This  last  counsal  wes  apprisit. 

Incontinent,  come  four  honorabil  men,  with  fair  vissage,  cloithit, 
in  thair  maner,  with  na  les  precious  than  semand  abulyementis,  and 
fell  on  kneis  afore  the  confiderat  kingis.  A  Is  sone  as  thay  wer  rasit, 
ane  of  thaim,  to  quhilk  the  charge  wes  committit,  said  in  this  wise : 
"  The  Romane  army  and  capitanis,  dantouris  of  the  warld,  desiring 
"  your  amite  and  freindschip,  invincibill  Kingis,  requiris  you  humilie 
"  of  grace,  quhom  thay  have,  thir  mony  yeris,  persewit  with  auful 
"  and  kene  battall;  and  traist  fermelie,  na  thing  micht  have  cumin, 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  161 

"  be  glore  of  marciall  dedls,  sa  hie  to  your  honour,  or  mair  Avorthy 
"  to  have  memory,  than  to  have  the  ambassatouris  of  Romanis,  be 
"  quhom  all  kingis  and  realmes  bene  subdewit,  dejeckit  at  your  feit, 
"  and  humilie  desiring  grace.  Ye  have  vincust  us,  we  grant ;  our 
"  hfe  and  deith  now  depending  in  your  handis,  be  hatrent  of  Goddis, 
"  quhilkis  ar  commovit  aganis  us  for  the  injvist  battall  that  we  have 
*'  led  aganis  yow.  Use  now  sic  victorie  as  ye  think  respondent  to 
"  your  honoure ;  and  vincus  your  ire,  sen  ye  have  vincust  us,  the 
"  dantouris  of  the  warld :  and,  gif  ye  can  nocht  refrane  your  ire, 
"  than  sla  us  all,  as  we  have  weill  deservit.  Nochtheles,  sen  ye, 
"  quhilkis  ar  heir  in  the  farrest  nuik  of  the  Avarld,  precellis  all  pe- 
"  pill  in  manheid  and  virtew  ;  understand,  that  na  thing  may  schaw 
''  your  humanite  mair  than  to  be  mercifuU  eftir  sa  huge  victory. 
"  We  knaw  now  the  hatrent  of  Goddis ;  we  knaw  your  chevalry ; 
"  and  desiris  peace,  under  quhat  conditionis  ye  pleis." 

Than  Galdus  maid  answere  to  thame,  and  said.  The  Scottis  and 
Pichtis,  the  last  pepill  of  the  warld,  sen  thair  first  beginning,  desirit 
na  landis  bot  thaim  onlie  that  wer  gevin  to  thaim  be  benivolence  of 
Goddis,  and  faucht  nevir  bot  in  thair  pure  defence.  The  Romanis 
wer  knawin  to  thaim  first  as  cursit  revaris  of  realmes,  be  insaciabill 
avarice.  Eftir  that  thay  had  maid  weir  on  Britonis  ane  hundredth 
and  fifty  yeris,  with  sindry  chancis  of  fortoun ;  and  quhen  thay  had 
subdewit  the  warld,  and  the  maist  part  of  Albion,  to  the  gret  dam- 
mage  of  pepil  thairof ;  thay  ar  vincust  be  the  pepill  quhome  thay 
held  maist  rude  and  febill ;  and,  finalie,  drevin,  but  esperance  of 
better  fortoun,  to  thair  last  refuge  within  thair  tentis;  to  be  ane 
notabill  exempUl,  in  times  cumming,  how  unsicker  bene  the  stait  of 
man  be  chance  of  fortoun.  And  thocht  sindry  nobill  men  in  his 
army  counsallit,  this  victory  to  be  usit  on  thaim  with  maist  rigour, 
traisting  thair  injuris  na  othirwayis  to  be  eschewit;  yit  he  wald  be 
more  propiciant,  thinkand  sufficient,  baith  for  the  time  present  and 
to  cum,  that  the  ambassatouris  of  Romanis,  dantouris  of  the  warld, 
wer  dejeckit  at  his  feit,  humilie  desiring  mercy.  Nochtheles,  it 
plesit  him  weill,  be  consent  of  his  confiderat  bruthir  the  King  of 
Pichtis,  to  gif  peace  under  thir  conditionis :  The  Romanis  sal  pas 
out  of  all  boundis  pertenand  to  Scottis  and  Pichtis  ;  and  rander  all 

VOL.  I.  X 


162  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

munitionis  and  pledgis,  with  the  guddis  reft  fra  thaim  during  the 
weris ;  and  sail  gif  thair  gret  aith,  nevir  to  invaid  Scottis  nor  Pichtis, 
bot  evir  to  stand  thair  gud  freindis  in  times  cumming. 

The  Romanis  ressavit  peace  in  this  nianer,  and  departit  but  ony 
forthir  injure 


Hoit)  all  the  strentMs  of  Scotland  ivar  recoverit  fra  the  Romanis,  be 
conditioun  of  peace ;  and  of  the  deith  of  Galdus. 


E  Gneus  Tribellius,  the  Romane  army  was  nowmerit, 
quhen  Agricola  left  it,  to  lx  thousand  men  ;  bot  at  this 
time,  throw  frequent  victoryis  maid  on  thaim,  thay  war 
skarsly  xx  thousand  left  on  live.  Efter  tliair  depart- 
ing, all  the  boundis  of  Scotland  quhilkis  war  garnist  afore  be  Ro- 
manis, war  randerit  to  Scottis  and  Pichtis.  Efter  this,  Galdus  skaillit 
liis  army,  and  went  to  Epiak,  quhilk  was  the  principal  ciete  of  Scot- 
land, and  began  to  institute  his  pepill  in  civill  maneris.  And,  to  the 
fine,  that  na  man  of  his  realme,  be  occasion  of  sleuth,  sail  use  reiffis 
on  the  cvxntre,  he  send  all  superflew  pepil  to  be  wageouris  to  the 
Britonis ;  sine  rewardit  his  nobiUis,  ilk  ane  efter  thair  vassalage  pro- 
vin  in  his  weiris.  Than  Galdus  went  throw  all  boiuidis  of  his  realme ; 
and,  at  his  entres  in  ilk  town,  the  pepill  met  him  with  sound  of 
trumpat  and  clarioun,  to  his  honour  and  loving. 

Quhill  the  pepill  war  gevin  to  laude  and  magnifie  thair  prince  on 
this  maner,  rais  gret  contentioun  betwix  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  for 
certane  debaitabill  landis,  that  lay  betwix  thair  realmes.  This  con- 
tentioun rais  be  eviU-dedy  men,  that  micht  suffer  na  peace,  bot 
socht  occasioun  to  breke  the  cuntre.  Nochtheles,  the  two  confiderat 
kingis  met  finaly  togidder  in  the  wod  of  Calidon,  and  pecifyit  all 
debaitis  amang  thaimself. 

Galdus  ragne  mony  yeris  efter  in  gret  felicite,  and  occupyit  his 
pepill  in  virtewis  laubouris  and  exercition ;  and  deceissit  at  Epiak, 
the  XXXV  yeir  of  his  regne,  maist  vailyeant  prince  that  evir  rang 


THE  FEIRD  BUKE.  163 

above  the  Scottis :  fra  the  incarnation  of  God,  cm  yeris;  fra  the 
beginning  of  the  warld,  v.m.ccc.ii  yeris.  His  body  was  buryit  be- 
side Epiak,  with  funerall  pompe,  and  gret  lament  of  pepill.  To 
quhome  ane  maist  precius  sepulture  was  rasit :  in  quhilk  was  in- 
gravin,  how  he  recoverit  his  realme,  be  soverane  manheid,  fra  the 
Romanis.  Mony  huge  pillaris  war  rasit  about  his  sepulture,  to  tes- 
tify his  precellent  virtew,  and  glore  of  chevalry ;  and,  that  his  me- 
mory sail  nevir  peris,  be  decreit  of  Parliament  was  commandit,  that 
tlie  landis  namit  afore  Brigance,  sal  be  callit,  in  time  cumming,  Gal- 
dia ;  beeaus  this  nobil  prince  maid  ane  end  of  all  his  weris  in  thay 
partis.  In  our  dayes,  that  region  is  callit  Galvidia,  be  corruption 
of  langage ;  that  is  to  say,  Galloway. 

This  history,  in  sa  far  as  we  have  schawin  of  Caratak,  Corbreid 
and  Galdus,  Kingis  of  Scottis,  is  drawin,  sum  part  fra  vulgar  Cro- 
niklis,  sum  part  fra  Cornehus  Tacitus.  For  we  have  nocht  onely 
writtin  his  sentence,  bot  als  his  wordis ;  that  the  redaris,  baith  of 
Romane  story  and  Scottis,  may  understand  ilk  history  concordant 
with  othir,  and  knaw,  be  testimoniall  of  oure  ennime,  how  vailyeant- 
ly  our  nobil  elderis  hes  fochtin,  for  this  realme,  aganis  Romanis. 
And,  to  the  mair  prufFe  heirof,  we  have  inserit  the  eloquent  orisonis 
of  Galdus  and  Agricola,  word  in  word  as  Cornelius  Tacitus  rehersis 
thaim,  in  this  our  quhatsumevir  werkis. 

And  sa  endis  heir  the  Fourt  Buke  of  thir  Croniklis. 


CJje  Jftft  Bufee. 


HEIR  BEGINNIS  THE  FIFT  BUKE 


OF  THE 


CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


Of  the  viciics  King  Lugtak ;  and  Jioiv  he  was  slanejbr  his  unhappy 
life  and  tyranny. 

He  vailyeant  prince  Galdus  endit,  in  maner 
afore  rehersit ;  succedit  his  Sonne,  Lugtak,  ane 
odius  and  mischevus  tyrane.  He  was  als  far 
haitit  with  the  pepill  for  his  vice,  as  his  fader 
was  luffit  for  his  virtew.  He  was  far  different 
fra  his  fader,  baith  in  maneris  and  ingine; 
gevin  to  his  eis  and  lust.  He  slew  mony  of  all 
the  riche  men  in  his  cuntre,  for  na  othir  caus 
hot  allanerly  to  confiske  thair  guddis.  He  gaif  the  ministration  of  jus- 
tice to  maist  wrangus  and  avaricius  men ;  speciaUy  sic  men,  that 
war  gevin  to  conques  guddis  to  him  but  ony  reason,  or  sicht  to 
justice.  Followit,  continewall  reiffis,  in  al  partis  of  his  realme, 
but  punitioun :  gretest  schrewis  maist  autorist,  and  virtuous  per- 
sonis  maist  ouirthrawin.     This  odius  tyrane  persewit  his  nobillis  be 


THE  FIFT  BUKE.  166 

vane  causis ;  sum  of  thaim  banist,  and  othiris  slew,  that  he  micht 
conques  thair  landis  and  guddis.  He  had  sic  affectioun  to  reiffairis 
and  oppressouris,  that  he  namit  thaim  brethir  and  counsalouris  in 
his  writinffis ;  and  luffit  nane  sa  weill  as  him  that  culd  find  ino-ine  to 
reif  his  subdittis.  The  remanent  dedis  of  his  unhappy  life  ar  sa 
detestabill,  that  thay  ar  mair  worthy  to  be  hid,  than  drevin  in  ony 
mannis  eiris.  For  he,  with  unbridillit  lust,  fulyeit  his  anttis,  his 
douchteris,  his  sisteris,  and  his  sister  douchteris ;  and  was  penitent 
of  na  thing,  bot  only  that  he  micht  nocht  suffice  to  compleit  his  lust 
with  thaim  all. 

His  horribill  dedis  war  sufferit  cwa  yeris  be  his  nobillis.  Bot  na 
thing  raovit  thaim  sa  mekil,  as  his  scornefull  detractioun ;  be  quhilk 
he  callit  thaim  auld  dotand  fulis.  He  had  nane  sa  familiar  to  him 
as  fidlaris,  bordellaris,  makerellis,  and  gestouris,  and  siclike  men  of 
vile  estimatioun ;  and  cled  thaim  with  publik  auctorite,  beleving  all 
thingis  to  succede  weil  be  thair  governance.  Bot  his  cruelteis  and 
foly  micht  nocht  be  lang  unpunist.  For,  sone  eftir,  ane  counsal  was 
set  be  him  at  Dounstafage,  to  punis  sindry  men  that  reprevit  his 
vice :  in  the  mene  time,  rais  sic  debait  betwix  him  and  his  nobillis, 
that  he  was  slane,  with  all  his  cursit  cumpany,  in  quhome  he  gaif 
baith  the  governance  of  his  body  and  realme,  in  the  thrid  yeir  of 
his  regne.  He  was  buryit  with  riche  pompe  in  Dounstafage ;  bot 
the  bodyis  of  his  unhappy  counsalouris  war  left  on  the  feildis,  to  be 
devorit  be  the  houndis. 


l]| 


166  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


Of  King  Mogallus ;  and  koto  he  come  xoith  ane  Army  agOMis  the 
Romanis.     Of  his  Orisone  viaid  to  the  Sepulture  ofGaldxis. 

UoTAK,  the  tyrane,  endit  in  this  maner,  Mogallus  was 
maid  king;  for  he  was  nepote  to  Galdus,  gottin  of  his 
douchter.  This  Mogallus,  efter  his  coronation,  set  him 
to  follow  the  wisdome  and  maneris  of  Galdus,  his  gud- 
schir ;  and  to  kepe  the  faith  and  promis  to  Romanis  and  Britonis, 
be  the  peace  afore  contrackit.  And,  that  his  pepil  micht  leif  in  quiete 
but  ony  seditioun,  he  reparit  every  thing  that  was  afore  misgidit  be 
the  tyrane  Lugtak ;  and  restorit  the  religioun  of  Goddis,  with  the 
samin  cerimonis  as  thay  war  first  institute:  traisting,  fra  he  had 
gottin  the  benivolence  of  his  Goddis,  quhilkis  war  ennimes  to  his 
pepil  for  the  abhominabil  life  of  Lugtak,  that  al  thingis  suld  suc- 
cede  the  better.  The  Scottis  began  to  rise  ilk  day  in  esperance  of 
better  fortoun,  seing  thair  king  follow  the  behavingis  of  his  gud- 
schir,  Galdus,  and  reddy  to  reforme  al  enormiteis  of  his  realm. 

Nocht  lang  efter,  come  ambassatouris  fra  Pichtis  to  Mogallus,  de- 
siring support  aganis  the  Romanis  and  Britonis  ;  quhilkis  war  lait- 
ly  cumin,  with  fire  and  swerd,  in  Pentland,  and  slane  ane  gret  now- 
mer  of  pepill,  in  defence  of  thair  awin  guddis.  Siclike,  the  men  of 
Galloway  and  Annandale  complanit,  that  ane  huge  pray  of  guddis 
war  tane  be  Romanis  out  of  thair  landis. 

Mogallus,  havand  ingine  na  les  gevin  to  chevalry  than  werkis  of 
peace,  rejosit  to  have  occasioun  of  battall ;  that  he  micht,  be  sum 
notabill  vassalage,  be  comparit  to  his  vailyeant  antecessouris  :  nocht- 
theles,  he  send  his  ambassatouris,  desiring  rcdres  of  the  dammage 
be  thaim  done.  Thir  ambassatouris  gat  nocht  bot  ane  answer  full 
of  hie  contemptioun  and  skorne.  Than  Mogallus  tuke  the  Goddis 
in  witnes,  that  baith  the  faith  promittit  to  him  be  Romanis  was  bro- 
kin,  and  his  message  contempnit.  And,  sone  efter,  he  rasit  his  army, 
and  come  in  Galloway :  quhare  he  visyit  the  sepulture  of  Galdus, 


THE  FIFT  BUKE.  167 

his  gudschlr ;  and,  quhen  he  had  maid  certane  cerimonis,  efter  the 
custome  of  thay  dayis,  he  fel  on  kneis,  and  said :  "  O  vailyeant  and 
"  invincibill  prince,  quhilk,  efter  sa  gret  adverslte  of  fortoun,  did 
"  recovir  the  reahnes  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis  with  huge  difficvihe  ; 
"  and  dang  thy  pissant  and  riche  ennimes,  be  favoure  of  Goddis, 
"  out  of  thir  boundis,  with  na  les  honoure  than  manheid ;  we,  thy 
"  native  pepill,  quhilkis  wirschippit  the,  on  live,  with  mair  reverence 
"  and  lufe  than  may  be  tauld,  falhs  now  on  kneis,  with  lamentabill 
"  voce,  before  this  thy  eternall  sepulture,  the  last  refuge  to  us  in 
"  extreme  neid,  beseking  humly  thy  funerall  goist  to  be  our  helper 
"  aganis  our  ennimes,  quhom  thou  sumtime  maist  vailyeantly  vin- 
"  oust  in  thir  boundis ;  and  prayis  the,  gif  thow  hes  ony  auctorite 
"  afore  the  Goddis,  for  thy  singulare  virtew  schawin  to  us  in  the 
"  erd,  to  suffer  nocht  us,  thy  posterite,  to  be  ouirthrawin  with  dis- 
"  pitefull  ennimes,  quhilkis  invadis  us  but  titill  of  battall.  Suffer 
"  nocht  thy  fame,  O  vailyeant  campioun,  to  decay  now  amang  us, 
'*  be  victory  of  thy  injust  ennimes ;  sen  thay  ben  sa  oft  vincust  be 
"  the  in  thir  boundis,  and  drevin,  be  thy  singulare  manheid,  to  im- 
"  plore  thy  mercy  in  thair  last  refuge :  quhairthrow,  thy  name  em- 
"  paring  sail  na  Avayis  bot  evir  indure  in  terroure  of  thy  fais/' 

Als  sone  as  Mogallus  had  maid  his  prayer  to  Galdus  in  this  maner, 
all  the  army  began  to  enbras  his  image ;  and  maid  thair  prayer  thair- 
to,  for  happy  passage,  and  returning  in  thair  jurnay.  The  wod 
wemen,  sic  as  war  inflammit  with  divine  spreit,  skurgit  thameself,  to 
make  thaim  seme  the  mair  religious ;  and,  be  advise  of  Druides,  the 
solempne  preistis  afore  rehersit,  thay  maid  solempne  cursinis  on  the 
Romanis,  for  violation  of  thair  faith  and  band,  afore  contrackit. 


168  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


Cljap*  C()tVD» 

How  the  confiderat  Kingis  come  with  thair  Armyis  aganis  the  Ro- 
manis.  Of  the  Orison  maid  be  Mogallus  and  Lucius  Anthonius 
to  thair  Armyis  ;  and  hoio  the  Romanis  war  discomfist. 

Ogallus  come,  not  lang  eftir,  in  Annandale,  to  meit 
Unipane,  King  of  Pichtis ;  for  he  abaicl  his  cumming, 
with  ane  weil  arrayit  ost  of  Pichtis.  Als  sone  as  baith 
thair  armyis  was  assembht  togidder,  thay  went  baith  in 
"Westmurland  and  Cumbir,  quhilkis  war,  as  than,  provinces  of  Ro- 
manis. And,  first,  thay  brocht  ane  huge  pray  of  men  and  guddis 
fra  the  samin ;  and  the  residew,  that  micht  nocht  be  tursit,  put  in 
fire.  The  inhabitantis,  for  feir  of  thir  injuris,  fled  to  York ;  and 
complanit  to  Lucius  Anthonius,  Romane  capitane,  of  the  cruelteis 
done  be  Scottis  and  Pichtis.  Lucius  than  assembht  ane  Strang  army, 
and  went  forthwart,  with  greit  ordinance,  to  dant  his  ennimes. 

Mogalhis,  seing  his  ennimes  in  sicht,  calht  his  men  to  the  stan- 
dart,  and  said  in  this  maner :  "  I  find  na  thing,  vailyeant  campionis, 
'  that  bringis  nobill  men  soner  to  loving  and  glore,  than  to  resist 
'  the  injure  of  ennimes,  fechtand  for  thair  realme  and  hberte  to  the 
'  deith,  that  thay  be  nocht  subdewit  to  schamfull  servitude ;  as 
'  may  be  weill  provin,  baith  be  example  of  uncouth  pepill,  and  be 
'  singulare  virtew  of  our  vailyeant  antecessouris.  Remember  be 
'  quhat  manheid  and  wisdome  King  Edere  supportit  Cassibilane, 
'  King  of  Britonis,  quhen  Julius,  the  Romane  consull,  was  doungin 
'  out  of  Albion ;  be  quhilk  he  conquest  na  les  honour  to  himself, 
'  than  to  his  posterite.  Siclike,  the  nobill  Caratak  was  na  les  de- 
'  corit  be  his  virtew  in  merit  of  loving,  quhen  he,  fechtand  sa  ofU 
'  times  be  sindry  chancis  of  fortoun,  micht  nevir  be  vincust.  And 
'  thocht  he  had  ane  hard  fortoune,  and  brocht  as  presoneir  to  Rome, 
'  be  treasoun  of  Cartumandia,  yit  he  had  invincibill  spreit,  defend- 
'  ing  ay  his  realme  to  his  last  dayis  :  and  was  haldin,  thairfore,  in 
'  sic  reverence  and  dredour  amang  his  ennimes,  that  he  was  finaly 


THE  FIFT  BUKE.  169 

"  restorit  baith  to  his  realme  and  honouris ;  to  be  examplll  to  all 
"  othir  efter  him,  to  have  excellent  fortitude  aganis  all  trubil.     Sik- 
"  hke,  Corbreid,  his  bruthir,  in  defence  of  his  liberte,  faucht  sa 
"  cruelly  aganis  the  proude  Romanis,  and  brocht  thaini  to  sic  irre- 
"  coverabill  afflictioun  and  slauchter,  that  thay  micht  nevir  invade 
"  this  realme  during  his  liffe.      Remember,  alsua,  my  gudschir, 
"  Galdus,  maist  vailyeant  prince  that  evir  Avas  afore  his  dayis :  how- 
"  beit,  he  was  invadit  with  perpetuall  trubill,  fechtand  nocht  only 
"  aganis  Romanis,  bot  aganis  Fortoun:  sa  oft  vincust  and  chasit; 
"  his  army  brokin;  ilk  calamite  incressing  above  othir:  yit,  with 
"  michty  curage,  he  perseverit  ay  in  hope  of  better  fortoun :  quhill, 
"  at  last,  be  lang  battall  of  virtew  aganis  his  unhappy  infortuniteis, 
"  he  ouirthrew  Fortoun,  and  conquest,  be  merciall  prowes  and  man- 
"  heid,  sa  interminabil  victory  and  glore,  that  he  vincust  his  en- 
"  nimes  Avith  in  sindry  battallis;  and  brocht  thaim,  be  fleing  to 
"  thair  tentis,  to  sic  subjectioun  and  mesiry,  that  quhare  thay  culd 
"  nocht  be  content  afore  of  the  haill  boundis  of  the  warld,  thay  micht 
"  nocht  Weill  defende  thaimself  within  thair  sorowfull  tenlis :  throw 
"  quhilk  he  gat  the  excellent  glore,  that  nevir  afore  succedit  to  levand 
"  creature;  havand  the  ambassatouris  of  Romanis,  be  quhome  al 
"  kingis  and  realmis  be  subdewit,  dejeckit  at  his  feit,  desiring  grace. 
"  In  mair  Avitnes  heirof,  the  place  quhare  thir  Romanis  Avar  defait, 
"  is  callit  GalloAA-ay;  that  the  fame  of  his  illuster  Averkis  sail  nevir 
"  evanis,  bot  ay  remane  in  recent  memorie.     Forthir,  the  mair 
"  Strang,  the  mair  pissant  that  his  fais  Avar,  the  mair  glore  succedit 
"  to  him,  and  his  pepill.     Heirfore  ye,  my  gud  cumpanyeonis, 
"  quhilkis  ar  the  posterite  of  thay  forcy  campionis  that  sumtime 
"  faucht  aganis  the  Romanis  Avith  the  said  Galdus,  remember  that 
"  your  battall  is,  this  day,  only  aganis  thame  quhilkis  hes  afore  sa 
"  oftimes  bene  vincust  be  your  chevelry,  and  remanis  only  on  live 
"  be  your  mercy.    Consider  weill  quhat  ye  ar :  for  ye  ar  victouris, 
"  unbrokin  of  curage,  and  defendouris  of  your  realme,  liberteis, 
"  wiffis,  barnis,  and  native  Goddis ;  and  ar  to  fecht  for  na  ambu- 
"  tioun  nor  avarice,  bot  allanerly  be  constant  virtew.    Consider  als, 
"  quhat  schame  it  is  to  thinke  that  Romanis  may  nocht  be  vincust ; 
"  sen  thay  have  bene  sa  oft  before  defait.  Traist  fermely,  the  same 
VOL.  I.  Y 


170  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

"  virtew  and  fortoun  is  into  youre  handis,  as  was  in  youre  eldaris. 
"  Pas  forthwart,  vailyeant  campionis,  for  victory  is  present  in  your 
"  handis ;  and  put  your  vincust  fais  to  flicht :  for  all  thingis  sal  fol. 
"  low  as  ye  pleis,  gif  ye  have  curage."  Mogallus,  be  thir  wordis, 
inflammit  the  mindis  of  his  army  to  battall. 

On  the  tothir  side,  Lucius  Anthonius  was  na  les  diligent  perswad- 
ing  the  Romanis,  be  vehement  orison,  to  do  vailyeantly,  be  exemple 
and  imitation  of  thair  forebearis ;  and  to  remember  thaim,  be  quhat 
difficill  laubouris  thay  led  battanis,and  vincust  thair  forcy  and  Strang 
ennimes.  Remembring  tliahn  als,  how  thay  war  than  to  fecht  aganis 
ane  barbar  pepill,  but  virtew,  and  movit  to  battall  be  wodnes  and 
fury  ;  be  quhilk  baith  thair  manheid  and  reason  was  confundit,  and 
movand  thaim  to  battall  be  fuliche  hardiment :  and,  thairfore,  quhen 
maist  dangeir  occurrit,  thay  war  sone  discomfist  and  brokin.  He 
desirit  thame  als,  to  have  confidence  in  the  Romane  virtew,  and  take 
na  feir  of  thair  bludy,  cruell,  and  unarmit  ennimes,  devidit  amang 
thaimself  be  perpetual  sedition;  and  nocht  assemblit  for  luf  and 
Weill  of  thairself,  bot  onely  for  hatrent  of  thair  fais.  "  Take  youre 
"  wappinnis,"  said  he,  "  with  sicker  esperance  of  victory,  and  ye 
"  sail  conques  infinite  glore  but  straik,  and  recovir  the  landis  tint 
"  afore  be  sleuth  of  Gneus  Tribellius.''' 

Skarsly  Avar  thir  wordis  said,  quhen  baith  the  armyis  junit,  with 
niair  ardent  ire  than  may  be  tauld.  The  Romanis  schot  thair  dartis, 
and  the  confiderat  pepil  thair  arowis,  ganyeis,  and  stanis.  Quhen 
the  wemen,  of  quhilkis  grct  nowmer  was  in  this  army,  had  cassin 
incredibill  multitude  of  stanis,  thay  tuke  thair  awful  wappinnis,  and 
faucht  above  the  cruelte  of  men;  ruscheand  on  thair  fais  but  ony 
feir  of  woundis  or  deith.  The  strenth  of  the  ground  was  na  les 
support  to  oure  folkis  than  impediment  to  oure  fais ;  for  thay  knew 
nocht  the  ground,  and  fell  sometimes  in  swardis  of  mossis,  and  sum 
time  in  well-eys,  throw  quhilk  thay  war  oft  times  devidit  in  thair 
fechting.  Yit  the  battall  Avas  cruelly  fochtin  in  all  partis ;  specially 
in  the  middis,  quhare  the  capitanis  inflammit  the  curage  of  thair 
army :  the  Romanis  contending  to  saif  thaim  fra  thirlage  of  barbar 
pepill;  and  the  Scottis,  to  keip  the  victory  gottin  be  manheid  of 
thair  eldaris.  Efter  lang  and  lauborius  battall,  thay  left  thair  swerdis, 
and  faucht  with  schort  dageris.  And,becaus  sa  innowmerabill  slauch- 


THE  FIFT  BUKE.  171 

ter  was  on  all  sidis,  and  nane  of  the  armyis  apperlng  to  geif  place  to 
othir,  the  capitanis  on  athir  side  war  penitent  that  thair  army  junit 
that  day.  At  last  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  be  innative  ferocite,  be- 
gan to  put  thair  ennimes  abak ;  nocht  as  thay  Avar  discomfist,  bot 
eschewing  sum  thing  the  fury  of  battall,  becaus  thay  micht  na  for- 
thir  resist  the  multitude  of  thair  ennimes.  Quhill  Lucius  beheld  sa 
hie  dangeir  appering  to  his  folkis,  and  was  exhorting  thaim  to  renew 
battall,  he  gat  sic  ane  straik  with  ane  arow,  that  he  micht  na  mair 
tary,  bot  fled  out  of  the  feild.  Incontinent,  all  his  army  fled  to  the 
nixt  woddis.  Ane  cumpany  of  thaim  war  stoppit  to  cum  to  thair 
fallowis ;  and,  nocht  knawing  quhare  to  fle,  war  slane  be  Scottis, 
becaus  thay  wald  nocht  be  takin  presoneris. 


How  Jdriane,  Emprioure,  come  in  Britane;  and  higglt  ane  Strang 
wall,  to  saif  the  Britonis  and  Roman'is  fra  Scottis  and  Pichtis. 
How  he  returnit  in  France,  and  left  Victorine  to  be  Capitane  of 
Britane, 


Ow  was  the  sonne  fast  tending  to  his  occasion,  quhen 
the  confiderat  pepill,  be  sound  of  trumpat,  colleckit  the 
residew  of  thair  folkis  fra  the  chace,  and  passit  the  re- 

manent  of  that  nicht  with  incredibill  blithnes,  singing, 

dansing,  and  karoling.     At  the  spring  of  the  day,  thay  gaderit  the 
riche  spulyels  of  slane  men. 

And  in  the  mene  time,  quhen  the  two  kingis  war  takand  consul- 
tatioun  for  the  weill  of  thair  army,  was  schawin  that  ane  cumpany 
of  Romanis  quhilkis  war  eschapit  fra  this  last  battal,  war  within 
twa  milis  to  thair  army,  gangand  Avill,  and  nocht  knawand  be  quhat 
cuntre  or  partis  thay  micht  maist  esaly  fle.  Incontinent,  ane  band 
of  Scottis  went  to  thaim,  and  left  none  of  thaim  on  liffe ;  for  thay 
refusit  to  be  takin.  On  the  morow,  the  confiderat  kingis  maid  sa- 
crifice, as  the  gise  was  in  thay  dayis,  to  thair  Goddis,  for  the  victory 
falling  to  thame :   sine  tuke  diligent  examinatioun  quhat  personis 


172  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

did  maist  vassalage  in  this  last  battall,  and  rewardit  thaim  thair- 
efter. 

Lucius  Anthonius,  vincust  in  this  maner,  send  to  the  Emprioure 
Adriane,  schawing  quhat  trubill  was  laitly  fallin  in  Britane  be  weris 
of  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  and  desiring  him  to  send,  haistely,  support 
in  Britane ;  otherwayes  the  Romanis  sal  be  schamefully  doung  out 
of  all  boundis  thairof,  or  ellis  subdewit  to  servitude  of  barbar  peple. 
Adriane,  Empriour,  to  dant  this  rebellioun,  come  with  ane  huge 
army  in  Albioun.  Eftir  his  cuming,  he  wes  advertist  how  the 
Scottis,  with  more  cruelte  than  afore,  wer  cuming  in  the  Romane 
landis,  ceissing  fra  na  maner  of  cruelte  that  micht  be  devisit  on  the 
inhabitantis  thairof.  Adriane,  astonist,  and  richt  desirus  to  revenge 
thir  ofFencis,  come  to  York ;  quhare  he  remanit,  Avith  the  remanent 
army  of  Britonis,  quhill  he  wes  providit  with  twa  monethis  vittallis, 
to  pas  on  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis.  Sone  eftir,  he  rasit  his  campe, 
and,  with  gret  difficulte,  brocht  the  samin  ouir  Tyne ;  and  on  the 
fourt  day  eftir,  he  come  in  the  landis  quhilkis  wer  waistit  be  the 
Scottis.  And  becaus  he  fand  every  thing  that  micht  nuris  his  army, 
distroyit,  he  began  to  inquire,  of  quhat  life  and  condition  thir  pepill 
bene,  that  maid  sic  extorsionis  in  the  Romane  landis.  It  wes  schawin, 
thay  wer  ane  rude  and  undantit  pepill,  and  lay  thairfurth  all  win- 
ter, nochtwithstanding  the  cauld  frostis  and  stormis ;  and  lay  at  sic 
strenthis  and  mossis,  that  thay  micht  not  be  persewit  but  extreme 
dangeir  to  thair  invasouris.  For  thu"  causis,  he  left  purpos  to  pas 
ony  forthir :  and  to  keip  thaim  fra  all  incursionis  of  ennimes  in  times 
cuming,  he  beildit  ane  huge  wall  of  fail  and  devait,  richt  braid  and 
hie  in  maner  of  ane  hill,  fra  the  mouth  of  Tyne,  fornens  the  Al- 
niane  seis,  to  the  flude  of  Esk,  fornens  the  Ireland  seis.  This  wal 
was  Lxxx  mills  of  lenth.  It  is  said  in  our  croniklis,  that  this  dike 
wes  begun  be  Adriane,  and  endit  be  Severus,  the  Romane  Em- 
prioure; and  callit  The  Wal  of  Seveir.  Bot  we,  following  Veremond, 
callis  it  The  Wal  of  Adriane,  fia  the  first  foundoure. 

Sone  eftir,  Adriane  past  in  Westmureland  and  Walls,  quhare  he 
wes  advertist  of  new  rebellioun  maid  ajranis  him  be  the  inhabitantis 
of  the  said  land  :  nochtheles,  he  behavit  him  sa  prudently  in  this 
mater,  that  the  principall  movaris  thaii'of  wer  punist,  and  the  cuntre 
restorit  to  his  opinioun.     Eftir  this,  he  come  to  London  and  Kent, 


THE  FIFT  BUKE.  173 

and  rewardlt  the  noblllis  of  Britane,  for  thair  faith  and  obedience 
kepit  to  Romanis.  Sic  thingis  done,  he  returnit  in  France,  -with 
Lucius  Anthonius,  quhilk  wes  than  trubUt  with  gret  infirmite ;  and 
left  Victorine  in  his  place.  This  Victorine,  eftir  the  departing  of 
Adriane,  stuffit  all  the  casteUis  and  strenthis  of  Britane  with  new 
munition  and  wageouris,  to  resist  the  violence  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis. 
Followit,  mony  yeris  eftir,  gret  tranquillite  amang  the  Britonis. 


How  Scottis  and  Pichtis  partit  the  landis  beyond  the  Wall  of  Adriane. 
Hoxi)  King Mogallus  was  degenerit  in  coriuppit  lif;  and slane^for 
his  tyranny. 

He  Scottis  and  Pichtis  partit  amang  thaim  al  the  landis 
of  Britane  lyand  beyound  the  wal  of  Adriane,  in  this 
maner:  All  the  landis  fornens  the  Ireland  seis  wer 
gevin  to  Scottis ;  and  the  landis  fornens  the  Almane 
seis,  to  Pichtis.  The  strenthis  lyand  nixt  the  wal  of  Adrian  war 
garnist  with  gret  munitionis,  to  keip  the  countre  fra  injure  of  Ro- 
manis.    Bot  we  returne  to  our  historic. 

The  residew  of  IVIogallus  liffe  was  in  quiete,  but  ony  uncouth  or 
domestik  weiris :  nochtheles,  this  huge  victory  of  Romanis  maid  him 
degenerit  fra  virtew  in  maist  detestabill  vicis;  for  he  was  sa  gevin 
to  avarice  and  lust  in  his  eild,  that  he  eschamit  of  na  maner  of  vice 
nor  oppressioun  done  aganis  his  liegis ;  defloring  the  Aviffis  of  his 
nobillis  and  commonis,  but  ony  schame,  or  respect  to  thair  estait ; 
and  nocht  onely  deforsit  virginis  and  matronis,  bot  annuUit  all  con- 
stitutionis  and  lawis  maid  for  punltioun  of  sic  horribill  dedis.  At- 
tour,  to  aggrege  his  tyranny,  he  gave  licence  to  theiffis  and  revaris 
to  take  the  gudis  of  thair  nichtbouris,  gif  thay  wantit,  but  puni- 
tioun;  and  slew  all  the  riche  men  of  his  cuntre  be  vane  causis,  and 
confiscat  thair  gudis.  He  was  the  first  king  that  statute,  the  gudis 
of  banist  or  condampnit  personis  to  be  confiscat  to  the  kingis  use, 
but  ony  respect  to  thair  wiffis,  children,  or  dettouris.     Afore  that 


174  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

time,  the  gudis,  landis,  and  possessionis  of  all  condampnit  personis 
come,  but  ony  pley,  to  fre  dispositioun  of  thair  wiffis  and  children. 
This  law,  quhilkis  schawis  Aveill  the  cursit  avarice  of  Mogallus,  is 
yit  observat,  but  ony  revocatioun,  in  this  regioun.  And  yit  the 
horribil  dedis  of  tliis  tyrane  micht  nocht  be  lang  unpunist :  for  the 
nobillis  and  commonis,  inipacient  to  suffer  sic  tyrannyis,  conspirit 
aganis  him,  and  instruckit  certane  men  to  wait  ganand  place  and 
time  for  his  slauchter. 

Mogallus,  knawing  the  nobilhs  conspirit  aganis  him  on  this  ma- 
ner,  tuke  consultatioun  of  certane  juglouris,  quhilkis  war  richt  fre- 
quent in  thay  dayis,  to  fie  in  the  His ;  and  to  dissimill  his  passage, 
he  went  to  his  bed  sonar  than  he  was  wont,  as  he  had  bene  strikin 
with  suddane  infirmite.  Sone  efter,  he  armit  him  with  his  halkrig, 
bow,  and  arowis ;  and  fled,  Avith  two  servandis,  to  the  nixt  wod : 
and  left  behind  him  the  reside w  of  his  cursit  cumpany,  as  ane  ty- 
rane dois,  that  confidis  in  no  creature.  The  nobillis  that  war  con- 
spirit aganis  him,  beand  advertist  of  his  fleing,  foUowit  on  him  sa 
scharply,  that  he  was  finaly  comprehendit  and  slane ;  the  xxvi  yeir 
of  his  regne ;  fra  the  incarnation,  cxLviii  yeris :  Anthonius  Pius 
beand  Emprioure,  and  Phiacus  Albus  regnand  above  the  Pichtis. 

The  heid  of  Mog-allus  was  borne  on  ane  staik  to  the  nixt  towne, 
quhare  ane  multitude  of  pepill  war  gaderit,  to  his  perpetuall  schame. 
It  was  devisit  be  the  pepil,  that  his  body  suld  be  cassin  to  the 
houndis  and  revanus  beistis ;  nochtheles,  the  nobillis,  movit  be  the 
worthy  dedis  of  Galdus,  his  gudschir,  commandit  his  heid  and  body 
to  be  buryit  amang  the  kingly  sepulturis  of  his  progenitouris.  This 
schameful  and  unhappy  end  maid  Mogallus,  degenerat  fra  the  vir- 
tew  of  his  antecessouris. 


THE  FIFT  BUKE.  175 


Ofsindry  noh'iTl  Clerlxis.  Of  the  vichis  King  Conarus;  and  h(M>  he 
was  degradit  of  all  auctoritef  and  his  servandis  h'lngit  for  thair 
wicJcit  counsal. 

Ra  the  deltli  of  Dardannus  to  tliir  days,  war  raony  ex- 
cellent clerkis  in  sindry  partis  of  the  warld:  as  Quinti- 
liane,  oratoure ;  Serapio,  medcinar ;  Philo  Jew,  philo- 
sophour  and  oratour;  Caius  Plenius,  secundus,  that 
wrait  the  History  Naturall,  in  xxxviii  bukis,  with  na  les  treuth  than 
eloquence ;  Cornelius  Tacitus,  writar  of  historyis,  quhom  we  have 
followit  in  this  Averke ;  Cecilius  Plenius,  secundus,  oratoure ;  Sue- 
tonius Tranquillus ;  Ptolomeus,  maist  excellent  in  mathamatik, 
quhilk  brocht  the  cosmography  of  Ptolomy,  afore  rehersit,  to  ane 
better  knawlage,  with  mony  new  additionis  ;  L.  Apuleus,  oratour ; 
Aulus  Gellius ;  Plutercus  Cheronius,  philosophour.  And  in  thay 
dayis  war  excellent  poetis :  as  Juvenale,  Sillius  Italicus,  Mercialis, 
with  mony  otheris. 

About  this  time  the  Romane  princis  persewit  Cristen  pepill  with 
gret  cruelte,  and  brocht  gret  nowmer  of  ihaim  to  marterdome,  nocht 
knawing  quhat  Constance  was  in  the  religioun  of  Crislin  faith;  quhilk 
incressit  ay  the  more  strenthy,  that  it  Aves  persewit  be  tyranny ;  and 
agmentit  with  na  thing  sa  mekle  as  be  scharp  persecutioun.  Bot 
we  will  return,  quhare  we  left,  to  our  historie. 

Mogallus  micht  weill  have  bene  noumerit,  in  the  beginning  of  his 
empire,  amang  maist  nobill  princis  :  bot,  in  the  end,  he  wes  nothir 
worthy  to  be  king,  nor  yit  ane  levand  creature,  and  deservit  "Vfeil 
the  end  that  he  gat.  Forthir,  his  sonne  Conarus,  quhilk  succedit 
eftir  him,  had  litil  better  fortoun  or  maneris;  for  he  instrukit  his 
men,  with  hid  waching,  to  sla  his  fader,  and  so  be  unnatural  1  cruelte 
he  succedit  to  the  crown.  In  the  beginning  of  his  empire,  he  dis- 
similit  the  vices  to  quhilkis  he  wes  naturally  inclinit.  Als  sone  as 
the  realme  wes  stabillit  to  him  in  sicker  peace,  he  waistit  al  the  pub- 


17G  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

lik  rentis  pertenand  to  the  crown,  In  his  infamit  kist;  and  gave 
braid  landis  and  riches  to  maist  vile  and  diffamit  creaturis,  becaus 
thay  lovit  his  corruppit  maneris  and  vice :  and  be  counsall  of  thir 
wickit  schrewis  he  governit  his  realme,  detesting  all  nobill  and  vir- 
tewis  men  of  his  realme ;  and  set  him  to  induce  his  peple  to  super- 
flew  and  riatus  bankettis,  contrar  the  temperance  of  his  anteces- 
souris.  At  last,  quhen  he  had  waistit  all  his  treasour  and  substance 
in  mony  schamful  wayis,  he  convenit  his  nobillis  to  ane  counsal; 
in  the  quhilk  he  schew,  be  lang  orison,  the  honest  and  triumphant 
cheir  of  his  hous,  as  na  litill  glore  suld  be  gevin  thairto.  And  be- 
caus his  rentis  and  treasour  wes  nocht  sufficient  to  sustene  the 
samin  as  he  usit,  he  desirit  ane  generall  stent  to  be  tane  throw  the 
realme,  of  ilk  person  eftir  his  faculte,  to  sustene  his  hous  and  ser- 
vandis  according  to  his  estait  riall  and  honouris.  It  wes  answerit 
be  his  nobillis,  that  thay  micht  nocht  gif  ane  haisty  deliverance  in 
sa  gret  ane  mater ;  becaus  he  desirit  certane  thingis,  quhilkis  wer 
nevir  desirit  be  ony  othir  prince  afore :  and  for  that  cause,  thay 
suld  degestlie  avise,  and  schaw  to  him  thair  mind  concerning  the 
same,  on  the  morow.  Thir  nobillis,  in  the  nicht  following,  convenit 
to  thair  secreit  counsall.  And  becaus  thay  fand  the  king  of  evill 
governance,  thay  concludit  to  degraid  him  of  his  auctorite  and  king- 
dome.  On  the  morow,  thay  convenit  Avith  thair  king  in  counsall, 
and  said  to  him,  that  thay  had  na  litill  wounder,  that  the  rentis 
pertenand  to  the  crown  micht  nocht  suffice  als  weill  to  him,  havand 
his  realme  but  ony  trubill,  in  peacp,  as  it  did  to  othir  maist  nobill 
princis,  his  progenitouris,  afore,  baith  in  weir  and  peace.  The  no- 
bill  Galdus,  that  recovcrit  his  realme,  desirit  nevir  stent  of  thaim, 
for  na  maner  of  chargis  that  he  sustenit  aganis  his  ennimes ;  knaw- 
ing  weil  how  odius  it  was  to  the  pepil,  to  seik  ony  new  exactionis  on 
thaim.  And  yit  the  governance  of  Conarus  was  unlike  to  the  nobill 
Galdus.  For  Galdus,  be  counsall  of  prudent  men,  removit  all  pro- 
vocatioun  of  lustis  fra  his  army,  with  all  othir  thingis  that  micht 
maik  thaim  effeminate ;' gevand  his  lauboure  to  defend  his  subdittis, 
and  to  resist  his  ennimes.  Be  contrar,  Conarus  was  drownit  in  lust, 
passing  his  life  amang  maist  vile  and  abhominabill  creaturis;  pre- 
tending ay  to  governe  the  realme,  qulien  hieast  besines  occurrit,  be 
thair  unhappy  counsall ;  disherising  the  nobillis  of  the  realme,  to 


THE  FIFT  BUKE.  177 

maik  up  his  mischevous  limmaris.  And  flnaly,  efter  sa  mony  im- 
portabill  wrangis  done  be  him,  he  had  socht  ane  thing  richt  uncouth 
and  odius  to  thaim,  to  be  ane  preparative  to  othir  kingis,  his  suc- 
cessouris,  in  times  cuming,  to  seik  new  exactionis  on  thaim,  that  all 
thair  riches  and  guddis  micht  cum  finaly  in  his  handis.  Bot  his 
unhappy  counsalouris,  and  misgidaris  of  the  realme,  sail  nocht  one- 
ly  be  frustrate  of  thair  intentionis,  bot  brocht  to  sic  estait,  that  thay 
sail  mister  htill  reward  or  riches  fra  him  in  times  cuming.  For  thay 
war  profoundlie  resolvit,  baith  to  degraid  him  of  his  kingdome  and 
honouris,  and  to  punis  his  wickit  consalouris  to  the  deith ;  that  all 
pepil  of  vile  and  obscure  hnnage  may  take  exempill  to  abuse  realmes 
and  kingis,  and  that  kingis  may  understand  quhat  dangeir  is  to 
thaim  to  be  injurius  tyrannis  to  thair  subdittis. 

Conarus,  heirand  thir  wourdis,  said,  "  How  dar  ye,  mischant 
"  fuhs,  pretend  sic  thingis  aganis  me  and  my  servandis  ?  This  trea- 
"  son,  that  ye  have  devisit  aganis  me,  sail  turne  in  dammage  of 
"  yourself;  and  ye  sail  be  punist  in  maist  cruell  maner  that  may  be 
"  devisit."  The  nobillis  answerit,  that  he  was  unworthy  to  be  thair 
king;  for  he  sufFerit  the  realme  to  be  distroyit  be  insolence  of  vicious 
hmmers.  Incontinent  rais  ane  huge  nois  and  clamour  amang  thaim ; 
and  in  the  mene  time,  certane  wicht  and  rank  men  tuke  him  be  the 
middill,  and  bure  him,  perforce,  to  ane  quiet  chalmer:  quhare  he 
remanit,  the  residew  of  his  dayis,  in  miserie.  His  servandis,  that 
wer  occasioun  of  his  corrupit  life,  nurisand  him  in  vice,  wer  tane 
and  hinggit  on  jebaittis,  as  thay  deservit. 


Hoio  Argadus  was  maid  Governour  of  Scotland,  during  the  time  of 
Conarus  in  presoun.     And  of  his  life  and  governance. 

Onarus  beand  degradit  in  this  maner,  the  nobilhs 
chesit  Argadus,  capitane  of  Argyle,  to  be  governour  of 
the  realme,  sa  lang  as  Conarus  wes  in  presoun.  This 
Argadus,  in  the  beginning  of  his  auctorite,  tuke  gret 


VOL.  I. 


z 


178  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

laubour  for  ornament  of  commoun  weill ;  and  stancliit  thift,  reif, 
and  slauchter,  and  all  otliir  sic  exhorbitant  crimes,  with  mervellus 
craft  and  prudence :  havand  sic  moderatioun,  that  he  semit  nothir 
to  slaw,  nor  yit  to  cruell,  in  administratioun  of  justice  :  throwe 
quhilk,  he  wes  traistit  to  be  ane  mirrour  of  virtew  to  all  nobill 
princis.  And  yit,  as  oft  occurris,  gud  forton  turnit  his  mind  fra 
justice  :  For  he  set  aside  al  gud  maneris,  and  governit  his  realme, 
quhen  hieast  chargis  occurrit,  be  domistik  coiuisall,  and  nurist  se- 
ditionis  intestine  betwix  the  gret  princis  of  his  realme,  to  cause 
thaim  have  the  may  erandis  with  him.  He  maryit  the  Prince  of 
Fiffis  douchter,  and  be  affinite  thairof  drew  the  Pichtis  to  his  freind- 
schip,  that  he  micht  be  the  more  Strang  amang  his  awin  pepill.  The 
nobillis,  impacient  to  suffer  his  vicis,  callit  him  to  ane  counsall : 
quhare  he  Aves  scharply  reprevit,  that  he,  chosin  governour  be  thair 
auctorite,  for  the  virtew  than  appering  in  him,  suld  make  him  nocht 
onelie  to  follow  the  vicious  tyranny  of  Conarus,  quhom  thay  de- 
privit  for  his  detestabil  dedis,  bot  als  to  mary  with  uncouth  blude 
but  thair  avise ;  and  giding  the  realme  be  privat  counsall,  to  the 
gret  dammage  of  the  common  weil ;  and  lies  tint  schamefully  the 
gud  name  that  he  conquest  afore,  in  the  beginning  of  his  auctorite. 

Argadus,  heirand  him  reprochit  in  this  wise,  set  furth  mony  teris, 
and  desirit  his  nobillis  to  have  him  excusit  for  that  time  be  thair 
benivolence,  and  nocht  to  punis  him  according  to  his  demeritis: 
for  he  promittit  to  amend  al  enormiteis  done  be  him,  in  quhat  sort 
thay  plesit.  The  nobillis,  movit  be  his  humill  wourdis,  continewit 
him  still  in  auctorite,  and  kest  al  his  counsalouris  in  presoun. 

Argadus,  correckit  be  his  nobillis  in  this  maner,  governit  the 
realme  in  gud  justice,  and  did  na  thing,  in  times  cumming,  concern- 
ing publik  materis,  without  consultatioun  of  his  nobillis.  And  be- 
caus  divers  townis  and  cieteis  of  the  realme  had  ouir  large  previlege 
in  administratioun  of  justice,  lie  minist  mony  of  thair  prerogativis, 
and  commandit  thaim  to  punis  na  thing  bot  small  crimes;  all  hie  of- 
fencis  to  be  replegit  to  his  gret  justice.  He  maid  extreme  deligence 
to  serche  thevis,  revaris,  and  oppressouris;  speciallie  thaim  that  maid 
heirschippis  in  Argyle,  ilis,  and  othir  partis  adjacent:  And  ay, 
quhare  thay  wer  apprehendit.  thay  wer  hingit,  but  ony  mercy,  on 
jebaittis.     He  commandit  all  personis,  that  had  ony  office  or  aucto. 


THE  FIFT  BUKE.  179 

rite  of  him,  to  abstene  fra  sic  tliingis  as  micht  mak  thalm  inebriat 
or  dronkin,  to  cause  thaim  have  sum  preeminence  and  wisdome 
above  the  commonis.  He  commandit  al  scudlaris,  tavernaris,  dron- 
kartis,  and  othir  sicUke  vile  pepill,  devisit  more  for  lust  than  ony 
necessar  sustenance  of  men,  to  be  exilit  within  ane  certane  day. 
The  day  beand  run,  he  commandit  thair  guddis  to  be  confiscat, 
quhare  evir  thay  micht  be  apprchendit. 

Finalie,  the  commoun  pepil,  sum  part  be  benivolence  of  Argadus, 
and  sum  part  be  thir  institutionis,  wer  reformit  in  gudde  maneris. 
Quhill  at  last  Conarus,  be  lang  seiknes  and  malancoly,  quhilk  he 
tuke  for  his  incarceration,  deceissit  the  xiv  yeir  of  his  regne;  An- 
thonius  Aurelius  beand  than  Empriour. 


Of  King  Ethodius  the  First,  and  how  he  peci/i/H  the  Ills:  Hoio  the 
Scottis  and  Pichtis  brak  down  the  wall  of  Adriane ;  andjaucht 
aganis  the  Romanis,  xoith  sindry  chancis  of  victory. 

Ftir  deith  of  Conarus,  the  nobillis,  be  generall  con- 
vention, maid  Ethodius  king:  for  he  wes  nepot  to 
Mogallus,  gottin  on  his  sister.  Ethodius,  eftir  his  co- 
ronation, revvardit  Argadus,  governour,  with  landis 
and  riches,  for  his  gud  ministration  of  justice  during  his  tune;  and 
maid  him  generall  lieutenand  of  his  realme. 

This  nob  ill  prince  past  in  His,  and  pecifyit  the  same  of  all  de- 
baitis.  At  his  returning  in  Albion,  he  wes  advertist  that  the 
Romanis  had  brokin  down  the  wal  of  Adrian,  and  in  place  thairof 
hes  beildit  gret  strenthis  of  treis,  stanis,  and  devaitis ;  and  be  the 
samin,  maid  mony  heirschippis  in  the  landis  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis, 
of  quhom  ane  gret  nowmer  wer  slane,  in  defence  of  thair  awin 
guddis,  and  the  remanent  discomfist. 

Als  sone  as  Ethodius  hard  thir  novellis,  he  send  ane  herald  to 
Victorine,  desiring  redres  to  be  maid  within  xv  dayis ;  Avith  certifi- 
catioun,  gif  the  samin  wer  nocht  done  within  the  said  time,  he  suld 


[e 

I — 


180  CROxNIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

recovir  the  samin  be  force  of  battal.  It  was  answerit  be  Victorine, 
that  this  last  pray  of  guddis  was  takin  be  Romanis,  to  recompens 
sindry  othir  heu-schippis  maid  afore  be  Scotis  and  Pichtis;  for 
thay  war  ane  seditious  pepil,  and  confiderat  only  for  dammage  of 
thair  nichtbouris ;  as  apperit  cleirly,  becaus  thay  brak  first  the  said 
wall  of  Adrian,  and  beildit  sindry  strenthis  fornens  the  samin,  to 
trubill  the  Romanis  and  Britonis,  but  ony  sicht  to  peace  afore  con- 
trackit.  Ethodius,  movit  be  this  answer,  send  his  ambassatouris  to 
the  King  of  Pichtis,  and  desirit  him  to  cum,  with  his  folkis,  agane 
ane  certane  day,  to  recover  thair  guddis,  tane  be  Romanis.  The 
King  promittit  to  be  reddy,  as  was  desirit. 

The  Romanis,  weil  advertist  of  thir  materis,  providit  ane  huge 
ordinance  of  battall  aganis  thair  ennimes.  The  confiderat  pepil 
rasit  thair  armyis  at  the  day  prefixt,  and  brak  down  the  wall  of 
Adrian  in  mony  partis,  and  enterit,  with  maist  cruell  heirschippis 
and  slauchter,  in  the  landis  of  Romanis.  In  the  nicht  following, 
the  Romanis  slippit  by  the  tentis  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  and  come, 
baith  in  Mers  and  Berwik,  to  draw  thaim  out  of  the  Romane  landis. 
The  confiderat  kingis,  weil  advertist  thairof,  come,  with  gret  dili- 
gence, on  the  morrow,  to  rescours  thair  landis.  Incontinent,  baith 
the  armyis  ruschit  togidder,  and  faucht,  with  sindry  chance  of  vic- 
tory: for  the  richt  wingis  war  victorius  on  ilk  side,  and  the  left 
wingis  discomfist.  The  mid  batallis  faucht  ithandly,  quhil  the 
nicht  bereft  thaim  thair  sicht.  And  sa  baith  the  said  battallis  se- 
verit,  on  thair  awin  will,  but  ony  victory.  On  the  morow,  al  the 
wemen  that  foUowit  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  to  this  battal,  seing  the 
feild  desert,  gaderit  the  spulyeis  of  slane  men,  and  returnit  with 
the  samin  in  Scotland. 

This  battall  was  sa  sorowful,  that  the  yeir  nixt  following  was  in 
quiet,  but  ony  motioun  of  weiris. 


THE  FIFT  BUKE.  181 


How  Victor ine  was  deprivit  of  auctoriie,  and  Calphurnius  Agrkola 
send  in  his  place.  How  Calphurnius  reparit  the  wed  of  Adrian, 
and  returnit  to  Rome. 

IcTORiNE,  seing  his  army  brokin  in  this  maner,  wrait 
to  Aurehus,  Emprioure,  and  schew  all  this  trubill  that 
fell  to  Romanis  be  this  last  battall,  with  every  circum- 

__^  stance  afore  rehersit. 

The  Emprioure,  traisting  this  trubill  fallin  to  Romanis  be  febill 
curage  of  Victorine,  deprivit  him  of  all  auctorite,  and  send  Calphur- 
nius Agricola,  quhilk  was  nepot  to  Juhus  Agricola,  afore  rehersit, 
in  his  place. 

Calphurnius,  at  his  cuming  in  Britane,  assemblit  ane  large  power 
of  Britonis  and  Romanis  at  York,  to  invade  the  confiderat  pepill : 
and  first  maid  sacrifice  to  the  goddis,  to  have  victory  on  his  en- 
nimes ;  sine  rasit  his  camp,  and  come  beyond  the  wall  of  Adrian : 
quhare  he  fand,  be  frequent  weiris,  al  the  landis  waist,  but  ony 
cornis  or  frutis ;  all  the  townis  brint  be  Scottis,  that  na  lugeing 
suld  remane  to  thalr  ennimes.  Calphurnius,  nochtwithstanding  thir 
direptionis,  went  forthwart  with  his  army,  and  invadit  baith  Mers 
and  Pentland  with  irrecoverabil  skaithis,  and  slew  the  inhabitantis 
thairof,  in  al  partis,  but  ony  mercy  or  ranson.  Sic  thingis  done, 
he  returnit  to  York,  and  remanit  thair,  the  winter  following,  with 
the  residew  of  his  army;  makand  provision  to  invade  the  Scottis  and 
Pichtis  agane  the  nixt  simer. 

In  the  mene  time,  he  gat  letteris,  that  Welchemen,  with  sindry 
othu:  pepill  of  Britane,  wer  rebellit ;  and,  be  the  said  rebellioun, 
mony  cieteis  and  townis  that  stude  at  the  opinioun  of  Romanis, 
brint  and  heryit,  and  the  inhabitantis  thairof  cruelly  slane.  Cal- 
phurnius, dreidand  to  tine  the  landis  conquest  afore  be  sa  huge  dif- 
ficulte,  in  persewt  of  new  rowmis;  left  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  and 
maid  him,  with  all  diligence,  to  renew  the  wall  of  Adrian,  that  the 


182  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

samin  micht  be  ane  targe,  in  times  cumming,  aganis  the  violence  of 
Scottis  and  Pichtis.  Sone  efter,  he  gat  sindry  craftismen  to  clenge 
the  fowseis,  and  to  repair  the  said  wall  in  all  partis,  with  touris  and 
bastailyeis  rising  in  the  strangest  maner  that  micht  be  devisit. 
And  quhen  the  wal  was  reparit  in  all  partis,  he  left  ane  band  of 
weirmen  to  debait  the  samin  fra  violence  of  ennimes,  and  went  Avith 
the  residew  of  his  army  on  the  AVelchemen :  and  thay,  with  na  les 
diligence,  met  him  in  arrayit  battal.  Nochtheles,  thay  Avar  finaly 
vincust  and  chasit. 

Skarsly  Avas  this  battall  pecifyit,  quhen  haistely  folloAvit  ane  othir, 
be  rebelliovm  of  the  He  of  Wicht  The  inhabitantis  thairof  come 
with  proude  baner  aganis  the  Romanis,  and  A\^ar  vincust  on  the 
same  maner  as  afore.  The  confiderat  pepill,  seand  the  Britonis 
dantit  in  this  Avise,  held  thaim  in  thair  awin  roAA  mes,  but  ony  inva- 
siounof  Romanis;  dreidand  the  samin  chance  of  victory,  in  this  Cal- 
phurnius  Agricola,  that  Avas  afore  Avith  Julius  Agricola,  quhilk  sub- 
dewit  sa  mony  regionis  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis  to  Romane  empire. 

Calphurnius,  heirand,  be  thir  exploratouris,  how  the  confiderat 
pepill  Avar  slcalit,  but  ony  molestatioun  done  to  his  pepil;  maid  him 
to  meis  al  seditionis,  gif  ony  war  rising,  amang  the  Britonis.  And 
quhen  he  had  pecifyit  thaim  on  all  debaittis,  he  returnit,  be  com- 
mand of  Anthonius  Commodus,  Empriour  of  Rome. 


H<yw  Trebellius  was  send  in  Brifanc,  and  was  vincust  be  the  Scottis 
and  Pichtis.  Of  the  rebellion  of'  Britonis  aganis  him;  and  qf'his 
message  send  to  the  Emj)riour. 

Fteu  the  departing  of  Calphurnius,  ane  ncAv  capitane, 
namit  P.  Trebellius,  Avas  send  in  Britane  be  the  Em- 
prioure.  This  Trebellius  governit  Britane  mair  be 
benivolence  and  favoure,  than  ony  auctorite.  He  usit 
the  counsall  of  Britonis  in  his  hie  besines ;  and  did  gret  honour  to 
Lucius,  King  of  Britonis,  commending  him  oftimes,  be  liis  Avritingis, 


1' 

Ie 

i 

THE  FIFT  BUKE.  183 

to  the  Emprioure,  that  he  was  baith  lufFer  of  the  commoun  well  of 
Rome,  and  ennime  to  all  thaim  that  hatit  the  empire  thairof.  Tre- 
bellius  come  in  sic  favour  to  Lucius,  King  of  Britonis,  be  thir  com- 
mendationis,  that  he  belevit  na  thing  micht  succede  to  his  dammage 
in  Britane ;  and  began,  thairfore,  to  schaw  his  fenyeit  mind,  as  man 
of  insaciabill  avarice  ;  for  he  slevs^  mony  riche  men  in  Britane,  only 
to  confisk  thair  gudis,  and  otheris  banist,  to  the  same  effect.-  Thir 
cruelteis  maid  him  sa  odius,  that  he  had  bene  oftimes  invadit  and 
slane,  war  nocht  he  was  ithandly  supportit  be  the  said  Lucius. 

The  confiderat  pepil,  knawing  the  hatrent  of  Britonis  aganis  Tre- 
bellius,  thocht  the  time  expedient  to  revenge  auld  injuris.  And 
efter  that  thay  had  gaderit  ane  army,  with  all  provisioun  that  micht 
be  devisit,  thay  brak  down  the  wall  of  Adriane,  quhilk  was  reparit 
afor  be  Calphurnius,  and  wrocht  intollerabil  cruelteis  on  the  Bri- 
tonis that  obeit  to  Romanis.  TrebelUus,  movit  be  thir  displesouris, 
went  with  ane  army  of  horsmen  and  futemen  aganis  the  Scottis  and 
Pichtis.  At  his  first  juning,  the  Britonis  and  Frenchemen,  quhilkis 
wer  ane  gret  part  of  his  army,  left  him  :  throw  quhilk  he  was  esaly 
vincust,  and  all  his  army  put  to  flicht.  And  thocht  the  victory  suc- 
cedit  to  Scottis  and  Pichtis  in  this  battall,  yit  innowmerabil  slauch- 
ter  Avas  maid  on  thaim,  als  well  as  of  Romanis.  Trebellius,  discom- 
fist  on  this  maner,  colleckit  the  residew  of  his  army,  and  returnit  to 
York. 

The  Scottis  and  Pichtis  become  richt  insolent  efter  this  victory : 
And  to  revenge  the  slauchter  sa  mony  yeris  maid  on  thaim,  thay 
slew  al  the  presoneris  quhilkis  war  takin  in  this  last  feild;  and 
come  with  new  army  on  the  pepil  that  dwelt  in  Westmureland  and 
Kendale,  and  invadit  thame  with  sic  cruelte,  that  thay  war  disparit, 
but  refuge.  Howbeit  Trebellius  was  gretumly  commovit  at  thir 
offencis,  he  durst  nocht  assailye  his  ennimes  with  battall ;  for  he  had 
na  les  suspection  aganis  the  Britonis  than  aganis  the  Scottis  and 
Pichtis.  Nochtheles,  be  frequent  jeoperdyis,  he  slew  his  ennimes, 
ay  quhare  he  micht  apprehend  thaim,  but  ony  miseration. 

In  the  samin  time  rais  mekill  trubill  in  Britane :  For  the  com- 
monis,  seing  thaim  ilk  day  mair  iiijurit  be  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis, 
but  ony  esperance  of  redres ;  chesit  Caldorus,  ane  vailyeant  knicht 
of  Pichtis  blude,  to  be  thair  capitane  in  thair  rebellion :  for  he  was 


184  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

mony  yeris  accustomit  with  thair  maneris,  liavand  na  thing  in  mair 
hatrent  than  tyranny  of  Romanis.  Trebellius,  knawing  the  gret 
dangeir  appering  be  this  trubill,  tuke  lang  consukation,  be  quhat 
industry  and  laubour  he  micht  best  resist  thairto.  Efter  degeist 
advisement,  he  tuke  purpos  to  fecht  with  Britonis ;  for  gif  thair 
power  war  midht  with  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  the  samin  micht  not  be 
dantit  but  gret  slauchter  of  Romanis.  The  Bi'itonis,  becaus  thair 
army  was  colleckit  of  commonis,  wer  astonist  be  his  cumming : 
nochtheles,  be  impulsion  of  Caldorus,  thair  capitane,  thay  junit  with 
thair  ennimes  in  gret  ferocite  and  spreit.  Followit  ane  bludy  and 
terribill  battall,  fochtin  with  doutsum  victory :  bot  at  last  the  Bri- 
tonis war  vincust.  Caldorus  eschapit  out  of  this  battal  with  cer- 
tane  his  freindis,  and  returnit  in  Pentland,  rejosing  in  his  mind  that 
sa  mony  Romanis  and  Britonis  wer  slane  be  his  industry.  Mony 
nobiUis  of  Britane  wer  in  this  feild  aganis  the  Romanis,  howbeit 
thay  wer  cloithit  under  landwart  habit ;  and  quhen  thay  saw  the 
Romanis  be  rageand  fury  sla  sa  mony  of  the  commonis,  thay  disco- 
verit  thameself  to  Romanis,  traisting,  becaus  thay  wer  nobillis,  to  be 
the  erar  saiffit,  and  tane  presoneris.  Quhen  Trebellius  wes  advertist 
how  thay  dissimulit  thair  habit,  and  Aver  the  caus  of  this  rebellion, 
he  gart  hing  thame,  in  presens  of  al  the  pepill,  on  jebaitis.  This 
cruelte  maid  Trebellius  richt  odious  to  the  Britonis:  for  on  the  mor- 
row thay  tuke  als  mony  Romanis,  and  hangit  thaim  on  the  samin 
maner. 

Trebellius,  dreding  gret  dangeir  appering  in  al  partis,  complanit 
to  the  Emprioure  of  the  treason  of  Britonis,  and  injuris  done  be 
Scottis  and  Pichtis ;  and  desirit  support  to  be  send  haistely,  or  ellis 
the  Romanis  suld  be  doung  schamefully  out  of  Britane. 

CommodusAnthonius,Empriour,  to  dant  this  rebellion  of  Britonis, 
Scottis,  and  Pichtis,  send  ane  vailyeaunt  knicht,  namit  Pertenax,  in 
Britane ;  quhilk,  eftir  his  cuming,  dantit  the  ennimes  of  Romane 
Empire  mair  be  benivolence  than  ony  preis  of  armis  :  howbeit,  ane 
certane  of  thaim,  that  wer  of  smal  reputatioun,  wer  punist  to  the 
deith.  Eftir  this,  he  rasit  his  camp,  and  com  beyond  the  Avail  of 
Adriane,  quhare  he  invadit  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  with  heirschippis 
and  slauchter.  Bot  quhen  he  suld  have  procedit  forwart,  he  gat 
writingis,  that  Commodus,  Emprioure,  wes  slane  be  treason  of  his 


THE  FIFT  BUKE.  185 

familiaris ;  and,  sone  eftir,  he  returnit  to  Rome,  quhare  he  wes  cho- 
sin  Emprioure.  And  eftir  his  coronatioun,  Trebelhus  wes  send  agane 
in  Britane. 


How  Argadus,  L'leutenand  to  King  Ethodius,  zoas  slane,  and  his- 
Army  discomjist^  in  the  His.  Of  sindry  lazois  and  actis  maid  be 
Ethodius ;  and  of  his  slauchter. 

Uhil  sic  thingis  wer  done  in  Britane,  succedit  gret  tru- 
bill  to  Ethodius  in  Scotland.  For  sindry  gret  Clannis 
of  the  Ihs,  to  revenge  tlie  slauchter  of  thair  freindis. 
quhilkis  wer  slane  be  Argadus,  quhen  he  wes  gover- 
nour,  arrivit,  with  ane  gret  power,  in  Argyle ;  and  maid  slauchter 
and  heirschippis  in  all  partis  thau-of,  but  ony  miseratioun  of  estait. 
Ethodius,  to  punis  thir  attemptatis,  send  Argadus,  his  lieutenand, 
wdth  ane  cumpany  of  chosin  men,  in  Argyle ;  and  come  with  ane 
army,  baith  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  to  the  wall  of  Adriane,  to  fecht 
with  Romans  and  Britonis,  gif  thay  wald  invaid  him.  The  Clannis 
of  the  His,  knawing  the  cuming  of  Argadus,  convenit  suddanlie 
with  thair  capitane  to  meit  him ;  and  left  mm  Irelandmen,  quhilkis 
come  with  thaim  for  spulye,  hid  inider  craggis  and  covis  of  that 
land,  to  take  Argadus,  gif  thay  micht,  at  sum  avantage.  Als  sone 
as  thir  Irelandmen  persavit  Argadus  cuming  by  thaim,  thay  ruschit 
al  at  anis  apon  him  Avith  ane  sellout.  Argadus,  seing  him  invadit 
on  athir  side,  turnit  all  dredour  in  maist  fury,  and  faucht  with  in- 
credibill  manheid  to  the  deith ;  and  wes  finalie  slane,  ^\A\h  ii  thou- 
sand  men  of  his  army,  and  the  residew  put  to  flicht. 

King  Ethodius  become  richt  displesant  to  the  Clannis  of  the  Ihs 
for  this  offence ;  for  he  come,  sone  efter,  with  xx  thousand  men,  in 
Argyle,  The  Clannis  of  the  Ihs,  advertist  of  his  cuming,  pullit  up 
salis,  to  have  fled  in  the  His ;  nochtheles,  thay  wer  drevin  agane  in 
Argyle,  with  contrarius  windis.  King  Ethodius,  knawing  thaim 
disparit  men,  and  nocht  abill  to  be  vincust  but  hie  dammage  and 
VOL.  I.  2  a 


186  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

slauchter  of  his  pepil ;  brak  thaim  mair  be  wisdome  than  ony  violence 
of  battall,  and  brocht  thaim  to  sic  necessite,  that  thay  wer  constranit, 
for  fak  of  vittaUis,  to  seik  peace ;  quhilk  wes  grantit  to  thaim,  un- 
der thir  conditionis:  The  principall  capitane,  and  twa  hundreth, 
quhom  the  king  wald  cheis  of  thair  cumpany,  sal  be  deliverit,  to  un- 
derly  the  wil  of  him  and  his  nobillis ;  and  the  remanent  to  return 
hame,  but  thair  swerdis,  in  the  His.  Thir  Clannis,  and  men  of  the 
His,  seing  na  refuge,  tuke  peace  on  the  samin  condition,  and  deh- 
verit  sa  mony  as  the  king  plesit ;  quhilkis  wer  justifyit,  and  put  to 
deith.  The  residew,  seing  thair  capitane  and  thair  freindis  slane, 
come  with  ane  huge  nowmer  of  stanis,  becaus  thay  wantit  thair 
swerdis,  on  the  kingis  army,  as  rammist  and  wod  creaturis,  to  have 
I'evengit  the  slauchter  of  thair  freindis;  nochtheles,  ane  gret  end 
of  thaim,  with  litill  lauboure,  wes  slane,  and  the  remanent  put  to 
flicht. 

The  His  dantit  on  this  maner,  and  the  Britonis  levand  in  servi- 
tude under  Romanis,  Ethodius  had  his  realme  in  peace,  but  ony 
uncouth  or  domistik  weiris,  mony  yeris  eftir.  And,  eftir  that  he  had 
visit  all  boundis  thairof,  he  chesit  sindry  prudent  men  to  be  jugis, 
for  administratioun  of  justice  to  his  subdittis.  And,  that  he  suld 
nocht  dull,  be  approching  of  age,  in  sleuth,  he  gave  his  ingine  to 
hunting,  as  he  wes  lernit  in  his  youth ;  and  commandit  the  lawis, 
maid  afore  be  his  nobill  antecessouris  concerning  hunting,  to  be  ob- 
servit.  And,  first,  he  commandit,  that  na  haris  be  slane,  quhcn  thay 
ar  lyand,  with  clubbis,  arowis,  dartis,  or  ony  siclik  instrumentis ; 
nor  yit  tane  be  nettis  or  girnis :  becaus  haris  Aver  ofiimes  murdrist 
be  sic  maner,  but  ony  game.  He  commandit  als,  gif  the  haris  had 
forrun  the  hundis  be  lang  renk,  to  be  na  forthir  persewit :  siclike, 
that  na  man  sla  ane  baggit  hind,  nor  yit  thair  calffis.  It  wes  defen- 
dit  als,  to  sla  ane  hair  with  ony  othir  ingine  than  chace  of  hundis : 
and  na  hunting  to  be  usit  during  the  season  of  winter  and  weir  ;  for, 
in  that  season,  the  erd  is  so  ouir  coverit  with  snawis,  that  the  deir 
ar  constranit  to  discend  fra  the  montanis  to  the  planis  to  serche  thair 
fude,  and  oftimes  murdrist  but  ony  game.  Thir  lawis  wer  maid  be 
Ethodius ;  for  he  detestit  na  thing  mair,  than  the  honorabill  game 
of  hunting,  quhilk  wes  ordanit  for  his  nobillis  and  gentill  men,  to 
be  distroyit  be  sic  febill  slichtis,  but  solace.     Attoure,  quhen  this 


THE  FIFT  BUKE.  187 

prince  vakit  fra  his  hunting,  he  wes  gevin  to  honest  pleseiris ;  and 
nurist  with  him  crafty  menstrahs  of  all  sortis.  Bot,  at  last,  he  wes 
treasonably  slane,  under  nicht,  be  ane  menstrale  of  the  His,  quhome 
he  had  in  gret  delite.  This  menstrale  wes  finalie  tane  be  the  kingis 
gard ;  and,  quhen  he  wes  accusit,  quhy  he  slew  his  native  prince, 
that  wes  so  familiar  and  tendir  ^ith  him,  he  answerit,  that  he  slew 
the  king,  becaus  the  king  slew  mony  of  his  freindis  afore  in  Argyle ; 
and,  sen  he  had  so  condingly  revengit  the  slauchter  of  his  freindis, 
quhilk  he  wes  determit  mony  day  is  afore  to  do,  and  his  vehement 
affectioun  satifyit  be  his  vailyeant  deid,  he  desirit  to  leif  na  langar : 
and  bad  thaim  use  quhat  cruelte  thay  list  for  his  offence ;  for  his 
6urage  was  na  les  reddy  to  sustene  the  deith,  than  it  was  to  sla  the 
king :  attoure,  thair  was  na  kind  of  deith  sa  cruell  to  be  devisit  on 
him,  that  micht  cause  him  to  repent  the  kingis  slauchter,  sen  he,  be 
the  samin,  hes  so  condinglie  revengit  the  slauchter  of  his  deir  freindis. 
Skarsly  wer  thir  wourdis  said  be  the  said  menstrale,  quhen  his  body 
wes  drawin  sindry  with  wild  hors. 

Ethodius  wes  slane,  the  xxxiii  yeir  of  his  regne;  and  beryit  in 
Dunstafage,  amang  the  sepulturis  of  his  progenitouris.  His  regne 
come  to  the  empire  of  Severus,  Emprioure. 


C6ap«  CtoelftD. 

OfmonijnohillClerkis.     How  Britane  tuke  the  faith  of  Crist.     Of 
the  vicious  King  Satrahell ;  and  of  his  deith. 


Bout  this  time  flurist  mony  nobill  Clerkis,  in  sindry 
partis  of  the  warld :  as,  Galiane  and  Ipocrates,  medci- 
naris ;  Appollonius,  oratoure,  quhilk  wes  martyrit  be 

_^  Gentilis,  for  making  of  ane  orisone  in  loving  of  the  glo- 

rius  Virgin  Mary. 

Mony  pepill  began,  in  this  time,  to  detest  the  errouris  of  Gentilis, 
and  tuke  the  sicker  faith  of  Crist.  Lucius,  King  of  Britonis,  heir- 
and,  be  the  Romanis  under  Trebellius,  of  the  mirachs  and  religion 
of  Cristin  faith,  send  writingis  to  Elethurius,  quhilk  wes  the  xrv 


188  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

Paip  fra  Sanct  Peter,  to  gif  the  Cristin  faith  to  him  and  his  pepill. 
Sone  efter  come  in  Britane,  two  haly  men,  Fugatius  and  Damanius ; 
quliilkis  brocht  the  said  Lucius  and  his  pepill  to  the  sacrament  of 
baptime,  and  put  doun  al  vane  superstitionis  and  idolitris.  The  yeir 
that  Britane  tuke  the  faith  of  Crist,  wes,  fra  his  incarnatioun,  ane 
hundi-eth  lxxxvii  yeris.     Bot  we  wil  return  to  our  history. 

Eftir  deth  of  Ethodius,  his  sonnis  wer  of  so  tender  age,  that  thay 
micht  nocht  succeid;  and,  thairfore,  Satrahell,  his  brothir,  wes 
maid  king.  This  Satrahell  Aves  ane  man  of  sle  and  fals  ingine ;  and 
gevin  to  sic  cruelte  and  treason,  that  he  slew,  be  fenyeit  causis,  mo- 
ny  of  all  the  freindis  of  Ethodius,  to  defraude  his  airis  of  the  crown. 
He  wes  so  unmerciful  to  the  commonis  and  nobillis,  that  he  spulyeit 
thaim  baith  of  thair  guddis  and  landis ;  -and  mony  of  thame,  for 
vane  causis,  put  to  deith.  Thus  grew  he  ilk  day  richt  odius,  baith 
to  his  commonisj  and  nobillis.  Sone  eftir,  followit'  discord,  dissen- 
sion, and  domistik  weris,  amang  freindis  and  nichtbouris,  to  the  gret 
dammage  of  the  common  weil.  Thir,  and  mony  othir  damagis,  ap- 
pering  in  plane  exterminioun  of  the  pepill,  come  throw  sleuth  and 
imprudence  of  this  unhappy  tyrane :  for  he  durst  nocht  cum  to 
licht,  to  punis  trespassouris ;  becaus  the  pepill  had  him  in  extreme 
hatrent  for  his  cursit  tyranny.  Quhil,  at  last,  he  wes  slane  be  ane  of 
his  familiaris,  within  the  nicht ;  the  fourt  yeir  of  his  regne. 


CDap.  Cl)Uteent&. 

Of  King  Donald  the  First.  How  the  Britonis  zoer  inhibit  he  the  Ro- 
manis  to  have  ony  King  of  thair  llude.  And  how  thay  solistit  the 
Scottis  and  Pichtis  to  assist  to  thair  rebellion. 


Atrahell  slane  in  this  maner,  Donald,  brothir  to 
Ethodius  the  First,  avcs  maid  king ;  ane  just  and  humil 
prince,  richt  far  discordand  fra  the  maneris  of  the  last 
tyrane:  nocht  gevin  to  slichtis  nor  falset,  bot  settand 
iiis  mimllo'meis  all  contentionis  and  truble  amang  his  liegis.  And 
quhen  he  had  peacifyit  his  realme  of  all  debaitis,  he  began  to  vesy 


THE  FIFT  BUKE.  189 

all  boundis  thairof ;  makand  residence  oftinies  in  his  lionorabil  cas- 
tellis  with  his  nobilhs,  and  doing  justice  to  his  subdittis  but  ony  re- 
spect of  the  party ;  and  punist  all  crimes,  effering  to  the  offence 
thairof :  thro  we  quhilk  the  pepill,  that  wes  wild  and  undantit  afore, 
be  necligence  of  eviU  princis,  wes  brocht  to  civill  raaneris,  and  abill 
to  withstand  thair  ennimes  quhen  dangeir  occurrit.  This  nobil 
prince  had  ane  gard  of  chosin  men,  reddie  for  all  chargis,  baith  in 
time  of  weir  and  peace. 

About  this  time,  Lucius,  King  of  Britonis,  deceissit.  The  Ro- 
manis,  eftir  his  deith,  knawing  the  kingis  of  Britane  wes  occasioun 
of  sa  frequent  seditioun  in  times  bygane,  inhibit,  that  ony  of  thair 
blude  suld  regne  in  times  cuming :  throw  quhilk  gret  trubill  succe- 
dit  in  Britane.  For  Fulgencius,  quhilk  wes  discendit  of  the  blude 
riall  of  Britane,  richt  commovit  that  the  nobhs  thairof  suld  be  dis- 
herist  of  the  crown,  convenit  mony  of  the  nobillis  thairof  to  ane 
counsall;  and  complenit  the  gret  tyrannyis  done  be  Romanis,  in 
plane  eversioun  of  thair  native  lawis  and  liberte ;  thair  virginis, 
wedowis,  and  matronis,  fulyeit  be  insaciabill  lust  of  Romanis ;  tliair 
guddis  escheitit ;  new  tribute  and  exactionis  ilk  day  desirit,  beside 
mony  othir  infinite  oppressionis ;  and,  last  of  all,  the  nobill  blude 
disherist  of  the  crown :  and,  thairfore,  gif  the  samin  wer  nocht  hais- 
tely  reparit,  na  nobill  blude,  but  onlie  conimonis,  suld  be  left  in 
Britane.  The  Britonis,  movit  with  thir  reasonis,  set  ane  day  to 
meit  him  in  thair  best  maner,  to  invade  the  Romanis. 

Sone  eftir,  Fulgencius  send  ane  herald  to  Donald,  King  of  Scot- 
tis,  schawing  the  rebellioun  of  Britonis  aganis  the  Romanis,  and  de- 
siring support  to  expell  thaim  out  of  Albioun ;  for  the  samin  micht 
be  done  that  time  with  les  truble  than  ony  time  afore :  for  the  em- 
priour  wes  agit,  and  brokin  Avith  sa  mony  calamiteis,  that  he  wist 
nocht  quhat  wes  to  be  done ;  attoure,  sa  mony  pepill  wer  rebellit 
aganis  him  in  France,  Almanye,  and  the  eist  partis  of  the  warld, 
that  na  help  micht  be  send  fra  him  in  Britane.  King  Donald,  re- 
josing  of  thir  tithingis,  and  glaid  to  have  occasioun  of  battall,  be- 
caus  his  pepill  micht  nocht  leif  but  civil  weris  amang  thaimself, 
quhen  thay  have  na  externe  weris  on  othir  pepil ;  promittit  to  cum, 
at  ane  prefixit  day,  with  his  power,  to  invaid  the  Romanis.  The 
Pichtis  promittit  thair  support  in  the  samin  maner. 


190  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

Fulgentius,  knawing  the  punitioun  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis  maid 
to  the  effect  foresaid,  come,  with  ane  army  of  Britonis,  to  the  wal 
of  Adriane,  fornens  the  Ireland  seis ;  and  brak  doun  ane  gret  part 
thairof,  agane  the  cuming  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis :  and  thay,  with  na 
les  dehgence,  met  the  Britonis.  Als  sone  as  the  Albianis  had  mengit 
thair  armyis  togiddir,  thay  come  forthwart  to  York,  traisting  to 
have  found  Trebellius,  with  othir  sindry  Romane  capitanis,  in  it. 
At  last,  quhen  thay  had  line  lang  time  at  the  sege  of  this  town,  and 
understude  the  principal  Romanis,  quhom  thay  desirit  maist,  fled  in 
Kent,  thay  left  the  sege ;  and  rnaid  incursionis,  vnth  heirschippis 
and  slauchter,  on  all  pepill  that  obeit  to  Romanis. 

The  commonis,  astonist  be  thir  cruel teis,  and  nocht  of  power  to 
resist,  past  to  the  confiderat  kingis  in  thair  plesand  maner ;  and  res- 
savit  thaim  within  the  portis  of  thair  town.  Thair  armyis  wer  lugit 
utouth  the  town  so  lang,  as  ony  thing  micht  be  gottin  to  thair  sus- 
tentation ;  and  than  thay  went  to  othir  placis,  ay  makand  sic  like 
heirschippis  as  afore,  nocht  ceissing  fra  thair  cruell  fury :  quhill 
the  intollerable  and  cald  stormis  of  winter  constranit  thaim  to  skaill 
and  returne  hame. 


How  SeveruSf  Emprioure,  come  in  Britane,  to  revenge  the  oppres- 
skmis  done  to  Romanis.  Hoxo  the  Britonis  Jled  in  Scotland. 
Hoxo  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  fechtand  in  support  of  Britonis,  voar 
disconifist. 

Rkbellius,  impacient  to  suflfir  thir  ofi^encis,  wrait  to 
Severn s,  Emprioure,  how  the  Britonis  nocht  onlie  wer 
rebellit,  bot  als  hes  invadit  the  Romane  landis  with  sic 
cruel  tie  and  heirschippis,  that  it  wes  necessar  othir  to 
send  ane  new  army,  or  ellis  to  cum  himself  in  Britane. 

Sever  us,  Emprioure,  glaid  to  have  occasioun  of  battall,  that  he 
micht  conques  siclik  honour  in  subdewing  of  Britonis  as  he  had 
won  afore  in  subdewing  of  baith  the  eist  and  north  partis  of  the 


THE  FIFT  BUKE.  191 

warld,  tuke  his  wayage  on  ane  hors  litter ;  and  come  finalie,  with 
gret  lauboure  and  dihgence,  howbeit  he  was  agit,  and  pinit  with  the 
gout,  in  Britane :  and  brocht  with  him  baith  his  sonnis,  Anthonius 
and  Getas ;  to  that  fine,  that  he  micht  draw  thaim  fra  corrupit  and 
sensuall  plesouris,  to  merciall  werkis.  At  his  cuming  in  Britane, 
he  gaderit  the  residew  of  Romanis,  with  his  new  army,  to  invaid 
the  Britonis. 

Fulgentius,  and  the  remanent  Britonis  of  his  opinion,  astonist  be 
suddane  cumming  of  the  Emprioure  with  ane  huge  power,  send  ora- 
touris  to  excuse  thaim,  and  desirit  peace.    The  Empriour  dipeschit 
thir  oratouris  with  plane  repuls.      Than  Fulgentius,  frustrat  of 
his  desiris,  convenit  the  nobilhs  to  ane  counsall :  perswading  thaim, 
be  lang  orisoun,  to  recover  thair  hberte,  and  to  restore  the  blude 
royall  of  Britane  to  the  crown ;  revengeing  the  intollerable  outragis 
sa  mony  yeris  done  be  Romanis :  and  declarit  how  na  thing  micht 
move  him  to  take  this  maist  dangerus  mater  on  hand,  bot  onlie  to 
recover  the  hberte  of  Britane,  and  to  banis  uncouth  blude  fra  the 
croun.     And  thocht  he  persuadit  thaim  sumtime  to  battall,  sayno-, 
the  Romanis  wer  ane  army  gaderit  of  divers  opinionis  and  mindis, 
and  micht  thairfore  be  the  soner  vincust,  fra  Scottis  and  Pichtis, 
quhilkis  wer  maist  ennimes  to  Romanis,  wer  cumin  to  thair  sup- 
port :  yit  he  thocht  mair  proffitable  to  brek  the  Romanis  with  smal 
incursionis,  than  ony  set  battal ;  traisting,  gif  the  goddis  wer  propi- 
ciant,  that  Britane  micht  be  perpetuallie  deliverit  of  Romane  servi- 
tude.     The  Britonis,  movit  be  thir  wourdis,  come  out  of  Britane, 
with  thair  wifRs,  children,  and  guddis,  to  the  montanis  beyond  the 
wall  of  Adriane. 

In  the  mene  time,  Fulgentius  gaderit  ane  cumpany  of  the  noblest 
Britonis  of  his  opinion,  with  purpos  erar  to  defend  thaimself  than 
to  invaid  thair  ennimes :  and  sone  eftir,  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  come 
to  him,  reddy  to  assailye  all  maner  of  jeoperdeis  for  thair  common 
Weill. 

Severus,  Empriour,  knawing  all  the  wayis  of  the  Albianis,  left 
na  thing  undone  that  micht  pertene  to  the  provisioun  of  his  ordi- 
nance: and  quhen  al  thingis  wer  providit  as  he  desirit,  he  left  his 
yongest  son,  namit  Getas,  to  governe  the  Britonis  under  Romane 
lawis;  and  come  with  al  his  ordinance  to  York,  quhair  he  wes  res- 


192  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

savit  with  gret  honour  and  triumphe.  Eftir  his  intres,  he  went  to 
the  temphs,  and  maid  his  sakitationis  to  the  goddis ;  sine  past  to  the 
castell,  quhair  Trebelhus  wes,  with  sindry  Ilomane  sodjouris,  and 
tuke  lang  avisement  how  the  barbar  pepill  micht  be  best  dantit. 
Nocht  lang  eftir,  he  rasit  his  campe,  and  come  forthwart  with  dis- 
play it  baner. 

The  Britonis  quhilkis  wer  of  Fulgentius  opinioun,  seing  na  re- 
fuge, tuk  purpos  to  fecht  aganis  the  Romanis,  and  othir  to  de  maist 
vailyeantly,  or  ellis  to  leif  with  victory  and  honour :  yit  quhen  thay 
saw  thair  ennimes,  with  sic  multitude  of  pepill,  in  sicht,  thay  changit 
purpos.  Nochtheles,  thay  junit  with  maist  fury,  and  faucht  lang 
time  with  uncertane  victory ;  quhill  at  last  thay  wer  vincust,  and 
the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  put  to  flicht  on  the  sarain  maner.  Fulgen- 
tius wes  brocht  out  of  the  feild  be  his  freindis,  in  esperance  of  bet- 
ter fortoun. 

The  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  eftir  this  discomfitour,  gaderit  the  resi- 
dew  of  thair  army,  and  returnit  hame.  In  this  unhappie  battall  wer 
slane  of  Scottis,  Pichtis,  and  Britonis,  xxx  thousand. 


C&a]?*  JFifteentfj. 

Of  gret  cruelteis  done  be  Severus,  Emprioure,  aganis  the  nohillis  of 
Britane.  Of  his  xcer'is  aganis  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis.  Hoza 
Anthonius  reparit  the  Wall  of  Adi-iane :  and  of  the  Empriouris 
deith. 

He  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  brokin  with  this  calamitie, 
send  in  Ireland,  Norway,  and  Denmerk,  for  support  of 
freindis,  to  resist  the  Romanis ;  and  Fulgentius,  on  the 
tothir  side,  ceissit  not  to  hire  all  pepill  that  he  micht 
get  for  money. 

Eftir  this  battall,  the  Empriour  Severus  past  throw  all  boundis 
of  Britane,  and  slew  all  the  nobillis  thairof,  quhom  he  micht  ap- 
prehend ;  havand  miseratioun  onelie  on  the  commonis,  for  thay  did 
no  offence,  bot  followit  thair  maisteris.     Als  sone  as  he  had  reparit 


THE  FIFT  BUKE.  193 

all  dammagis  done  be  necligence  of  febill  captanis,  he  retournit  to 
York ;  and  left  his  army  in  thair  winter  schelis. 

In  the  nixt  simer,  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  seand  na  support  come 
fra  Ireland,  set  thaim  erar  to  defend  thair  awin,  than  to  invade  thair 
ennimes.  Fulgentius,  with  the  Britonis  that  stude  at  his  opinioun, 
in  esperance  of  better  fortoun,  fled  to  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis. 

Sone  efter,  Severus,  Emprioure,  rasit  his  campe,  and  come  be- 
yonde  the  wall  of  Adriane :  throw  quhilk  foUowit  ithand  incursionis, 
be  sindry  chancis  of  fortoun ;  sumtime  the  Scottis,  sumtime  the 
Romanis  victorius:  for  the  strait  montanis  and  mossis  of  the  cuntre 
war  gret  defence  to  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  fleand  thairto  in  time  of 
dangeir,  and  invading  thair  ennimes  quhen  thay  saw  occasioun. 
Thus  war  the  Romanis  lang  taryit  fra  battall. 

In  the  mene  time,  the  Empriour  fell  in  sic  infirmite,  that  he  was 
constranit  to  returne  hame,  with  Getas,  his  youngest  son,  and  to 
leif  Anthonius,  his  eldest  son,  to  governe  Britane,  Avith  all  chargis 
pertenand  thairto. 

Anthonius,  litill  astonist  of  his  ennimes,  maid  his  residence,  with 
his  campe,  nocht  far  fra  Tyne ;  and  commandit  the  wall  of  Adriane, 
quhilk  was  than  brokin  down,  to  be  beildit  agane,  with  mony  Strang 
touris  and  bastailyeis  rising  in  it :  ilk  toure  na  farrar  fra  uthir  than 
the  sound  of  trumpat  micht  be  hard.  He  put,  als,  trumpatouris  in 
ilk  toure,  that,  be  the  sound  of  trumpat,  the  cuntre  suld  be  warnit 
to  withstand  thair  ennimes,  quhen  dangeir  occurrit. 

Als  sone  as  this  wall  was  reparit  with  sindi'y  ingine  of  craftismen, 
Anthonius  set  his  besines  to  governe  the  Romane  army  in  sic  maner, 
that  thay  micht  knaw  him,  and  nocht  his  brothir  Getas,  as  lord  and 
senyeoure  above  thaim.  Bot  Getas  was  sa  sorrowfull,  be  conipas- 
sioun  of  his  faderis  infirmiteis,  that  he  tuke  litil  sollicitude  of  the 
empire ;  and  seand  his  fader  incres  ilk  day  with  mair  pine,  he  solis- 
tit  the  medcinaris  to  haist  his  fader  to  the  deith.  Quhill  at  last  his 
fadir,  the  Emprioure,  brokin  mair  with  dolour  than  ony  lang  yeris, 
deceissit;  maist  vailyeant  Emprioure  in  gloreof  merciall  dedes,  that 
was  afore  his  dayis. 


VOL.  I. 


194  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


How  Anthonius  slew  his  hrothir  Getas,  to  make  himself  Empriour. 
How  Scotland  tulce  the  Ja'ilh  of  Crist,  and  cunye'it  money.     Of 
mony  noh'ill  Clerliis  in  sindry  partis  of  the  Warld,  and  of  King 
Donaldis  deith. 

EvERUs  deceisslt  on  this  wise,  Anthonius,  his  eldest 
Sonne,  solistit  the  capitanis  of  Roniane  army  to  give 
onely  the  empire  to  him,  that  he  micht  succede  but  ony 
colleig.  Howbeit  he  culd  nocht  purches  the  samin; 
for  thay  had  baith  him  and  his  bruthir  in  equall  afFectioun  and  ho- 
nouris. 

Anthonius,  frustrat  of  his  desiris,  maid  confideratioun  with  Scottis, 
Pichtis,  and  remanent  Briionis  of  Fulgentius  opinioun;  sine  re- 
turnit  to  his  moder  and  brother  at  London.  The  moder,  desiring 
to  bring  hir  sonnis  to  concord,  tuke  freindis  to  intercommone  on 
thir  debaitis :  and  efter  that  scho  had  aggreit  thaim,  mair  be  vio- 
lence than  ony  gud  luf,  scho  devidit  the  empire,  with  equal  honouris, 
betwix  thaim;  and  departit  out  of  Britane  to  Home  :  berand  with 
hir  the  powder  of  thair  fader,  in  ane  goldin  poke,  with  mony  aro- 
matik  odouris.  Efter  thair  cumming  to  Kome,  Anthonius,  impa- 
cient  to  have  ane  fallow  equall  to  him  in  dominioun,  slew  his  bro- 
thir  Getas  in  presence  of  his  moder ;  and  succedit,  be  his  slauchter, 
to  the  haill  empire.     Bot  we  will  returne  to  our  history. 

Quhen  Donald  had  reparit  all  faltis  in  his  realme,  and  brocht  the 
samin  in  better  estait,  he  passit  the  remanent  of  his  dayis  in  gud 
peace,  be  inspiratioun  of  Crist,  our  Salviour,  Prince,  and  Lord  of 
peace.  For  in  the  time  of  the  said  Severus,  Emprioure,  King  Donald 
send  his  oratouris  to  Sanct  Victore,  the  xv  Paip  fra  Sanct  Petir, 
and  purchest  certane  devoit  and  religius  personis  to  cum  in  Scot- 
land, to  instruct  him,  his  wif  and  barnis,  in  the  Cristin  faith ;  and 
to  geif  thaim  the  sacrament  of  baptisme.  Than  King  Donald  res- 
savit  the  Cristin  faith,  and  all  the  Scottis  on  the  same  maner.    The 


THE  FIFT  BUKE.  195 

yeir  that  Scottis  tuke  the  faith  of  Crist,  our  Salvioure,  God  and 
Man,  was  fra  his  incarnatioun  cciii  yeris ;  fra  the  beginning  of  the 
realme  of  Scotland,  d.xxxiii  yeris;  fra  the  beginning  of  the  warld, 
v.M.cccxcix  yeris.  And  thocht  the  Britonis  tuke  the  faith  of  Crist 
afore  us,  yit  thair  has  bene  ay  ane  braid  diflFerence  betwix  us  and 
thaim :  for  efter  that  thay  tuke  the  faith,  thay  have  sindry  times 
left  the  samin,  be  persecutioun  of  Gentilis ;  bot  we  bene  evir  sicker, 
but  ony  roust  of  heresy,  sen  oure  first  beginning  thairin,  to  thir 
dayis. 

King  Donald  was  the  first  King  of  Scottis  that  prentit  ane  penny 
of  gold  or  silver.  On  the  ta  side  of  this  money  was  prentit  ane 
croce,  and  his  face  on  the  tothir.  The  Scottis  usit  na  money,  bot 
marchandice,  quhen  thay  interchangeit  with  Britonis  and  Romanis, 
afore  thir  dayis ;  except  it  war  money  of  the  said  Romanis  or  Bri- 
tonis :  as  may  be  previt  be  sindry  auld  hurdis  and  treasouris,  found 
in  divers  partis  of  Scotland,  with  uncouth  cunye.  For  in  the  yeir 
of  God  M.Dxix  yeris,  in  FifFe,  nocht  far  fra  Levin,  war  certane 
penneis  found,  in  ane  brasin  veschell,  with  uncouth  cunye :  sum  of 
thaim  war  prentit  with  doubill  visage  of  Janus;  otheris  with  the 
stam  of  ane  schip ;  otheris  had  the  figure  of  Mars,  Venus,  Mercu- 
rius,  and  siclike  idolis ;  on  otheris  war  prentit  Romulus  and  Remus 
sowkand  ane  wolf;  and  on  the  tothir  side  war  prentit  S.P.Q.R., 
quhilk  signify  is,  Senatus  pop  ul  usque  Romanus ;  that  is  to  say,  the 
senat  and  pepil  of  Rome.  Siclike,  in  Murray-land,  beside  the  see, 
in  the  ground  of  ane  auld  castell,  the  yeir  of  God  m.cccclx  yeris, 
was  found  ane  veschell  of  merbill,  full  of  uncouth  money ;  on  quhilkis 
war  prentit  the  image  of  ane  ganar  fechtand  with  edderis  :  this  ves- 
chell of  merbill  was  in  na  les  admiratioun  to  the  pepill  than  the  un- 
couth cunye.  Be  thir  exempillis  may  be  provin  that  uncouth  mo- 
ney hes  bene  amang  us. 

At  last  King  Donald,  richt  illuster  in  civill  and  religious  werkis, 
deceissit,  the  xxi  yeir  of  his  regne ;  and  wes  buryit  be  religious  men 
and  preistis  in  ane  kirk,  efter  the  maner  of  Cristin  princis,  with  de- 
voit  cerimonyis.  His  regne  come  to  the  time  of  Alexander  Seve- 
rus,  Romane  Emprioure. 

In  the  time  of  King  Donald  war  mony  nobill  clerkis ;  as,  Ulpia- 
nus,  the  floure  of  legistis  in  his  dayis ;   Origenes,  ane  singular  man 


196  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

of  piete  and  doctrine,  with  sa  properant  ingine,  that  he  wald  dite 
fastar  than  sevin  practicianis  micht  suffice  to  write.  This  Origenes 
wes  after  brocht  out  of  Antiochia,  be  instance  of  Mammea,  moder 
to  Alexander,  Emprioure;  and  turnit  hir  efter  to  the  Crislin  faith; 
throw  quhilk  tlie  Empriour  began,  nocht  allanerly  to  favoure  the 
Cristin  pepill,  bot  als  inhibit  ony  persecutioun  to  be  maid  on  thaim; 
and  kepit  the  crucifix  in  the  maist  secret  partis  of  his  chalmer.  In 
the  samin  time  was  Plotinus,  with  mony  othir  clerkis  of  singular 
eruditioun,  sum  Gentilis,  and  sum  of  thaim  Cristin  pepill.  This 
was  the  first  time  that  the  Scottis  began  to  leir  theologe  and  haly 
writ,  be  clerkis  quhilkis  war  send  be  Victor,  the  Pape,  for  thair 
eruditioun,  in  Albion. 


Of  King  Etiiodius  the  Seciind ;  and  how  the  nobillis,  Jind'mg  him 
unabill  to  gide  the  realme,  governit  the  samin  be  thair  auctorite, 
in  gret  justice. 

OiVALD  deceissit  in  this  maner,  Ethodius,  the  secund 
of  that  name,  Sonne  to  Ethodius  the  First,  was  maid 
king.  He  was  nurist  in  the  He  of  Man,  under  the  wise 
preceptouris  thairof :  howbeit,  it  was  uncertanein  quhat 
maneris  he  wald  incres,  quhen  he  was  put  to  liberte ;  for  quhen  he 
was  declarit  king,  and  frely  deliverit  of  his  preceptouris,  he  apperit 
of  dull  ingine,  mair  abill  to  gadder  riches  be  his  insaciabill  avarice, 
than  to  governe  ane  realme.  And  becaus  the  nobillis  persavit  him  of 
evill  governance,  thay  gidit  the  realme  be  thair  prudent  constitu- 
tionis.  Gude  justice  followit;  and  prudent  men  put  in  every  schire, 
baith  to  punis  criminall  personis,  and  to  kepe  the  pepill  but  ony  ex- 
torsionis.  Sic  diligence  was  maid,  that  misdoaris  war  punist,  and  na 
man  punist  bot  according  to  the  lawis.  It  was  defendit  be  the  samin, 
to  speke  for  ony  criminall  personis  in  jugement;  and  he  that  spake 
for  the  said  personis  war  reput  as  participant  with  thair  crime. 


THE  FIFT  BUKE.  197 

Attoure,  quhare  ony  trubill  apperit  be  seditioun,  the  samin  was 
haistely  mesit. 

The  Britonis  levit  al  this  time  in  gude  peace,  under  tribute  of 
Romanis ;  and  durst  pretend  na  rebellioun  aganis  thaim :  for  Seve- 
rus,  Emprioure,  tuke  sic  pleggis  of  thaim  afore  his  deith,  that  thay 
war  constranit  to  leif  in  peace.  Siclike,  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis, 
during  the  time  of  Ethodius,  nothir  did  nor  tuke  injure  of  Romanis 
nor  Britonis.  Quhill  at  last  King  Ethodius  was  slane  be  his  gard, 
the  XVI  yeir  of  his  regne,  becaus  he  was  ouir  mekill  gevin  to  avari- 
cious gadering. 

And  sa  endis  heir  the  Fift  Buke  of  thir  Croniklis. 


%\it  ^tj:t  Mult. 


HEIR  BEGINNIS  THE  SEXT  BUKE 


OF   THE 


CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND 


Cljap*  Jfirist* 


Hoia  Athirco  was  maid  King  of  Scottis.  How  the  nobillis  conspirit 
agayiis  him^for  his  cursit  tyrannyis ;  and  how  he  slew  himself  be 
disperation. 


OciiT  lang  efter  the  slauchter  of  Ethodius, 
the  nobillis  convenit  to  pubhk  counsall,  and 
maid  Athirco,  sonne  of  Ethodius  afore  de- 
ceissit,  king:  and  thocht  he  was  young,  yit 
lie  was  dispensit  be  the  nobillis,  notwithstand- 
ing his  age.  He  apperit,  in  the  beginning  of 
jj  his  empire,  prudent  and  gratius  to  his  sub- 
dittis;  deliting  in  doctrine  of  letterit  men,  sic  as  knew  the  haly  writ, 
or  the  history  of  his  progenitouris  He  was  weill  exercit  in  wers- 
ling,  and  all  othir  corporall  exercltion  cuming  be  ingine  or  strenth 
of  body ;  and  sa  liberal,  that  he  tyistit  the  pepill  to  his  favoure : 
and  yit  he  grew  nocht  in  virtew  as  he  grew  in  age ;  for  efter  that 


THE  SEXT  BUKE.  199 

he  had  roung  viii  yeris,  he  become  ilk  day  mair  unplesand,  and  ay 
the  mair  vicious,  that  he  procedit  in  yeris ;  like  ane  monsture,  de- 
generat  fra  al  honest  exercitionis ;  gevin  to  unsaciabill  avarice ;  and 
doing  ilk  thing  mair  be  ire  or  dredur,  than  be  benivolence  or  gud 
counsal.  Thus  tint  he,  be  avarice,  al  the  freindis  that  he  conquest 
afore  be  his  liberalite :  and  nocht  onely  was  he  involvit  with  thir 
crimes,  hot  with  all  kind  of  corruppit  vice  and  lust  that  micht  make 
him  efFeminat ;  and  tuk  sic  delite  in  singaris,  sportouris,  and  men- 
stralis,  that  he  eschamit  nocht  to  pas  in  sicht  of  al  the  pepill,  play- 
ing on  ane  flute. 

The  nobillis  thoucht  unworthy  to  be  governit  be  sic  ane  mon- 
sture, that  desirit  erar  to  schaw  him  ane  fidlar  than  ane  virtuous 
prince :  and  war  commovit,  eik,  that  young  men,  be  his  wikit  ex- 
empli, war  ilk  day  mair  drownit  in  lust,  to  the  dammage  of  thair 
commoun  weill,  and  laik  of  justice;  seand  thair  king  sa  involvit 
with  every  kind  of  vice,  that  he  tuke  na  solicitude  of  the  governance 
of  his  realme,  bot  gaif  occasioun  ilk  day  mair  and  mair  aganis  him. 

Than  was  in  Argyle  ane  man  of  gret  auctorite,  namit  Nathalak, 
quhilk  had  two  douchteris  of  excellent  beawte.  Athirco,  advertist 
of  thaim  be  his  corruppit  rutouris,  ceissit  nocht  quhill  he  had  de- 
florit  thaim  baith ;  and  quhen  his  lust  was  saclat,  he  causit  his  mis- 
chevous  rebaldis  to  fulye  thaim  on  the  samin  maner.  Nathalak, 
herand  thir  cruelteis  done  to  his  dochteris,  seirchit  his  ingine  be 
quhat  way  he  micht  best  revenge  the  samin :  and  in  the  mene  time 
he  maid  consolatioun  to  his  douchteris,  knawing  weill  thair  bodyis 
mair  violat  than  thair  mindis.  On  the  morrow,  he  convenit  his 
freindis  to  ane  counsal,  and  complanit  hevily  the  defloration  of  his 
dochteris :  incontinent,  all  his  allia  and  freindis  ruschit  to  harnes, 
and  maid  solempne  votis  to  punis  this  tyrane  for  his  demeritis.  On 
the  morrow,  mony  of  al  the  nobillis  assistit  to  thair  opinion ;  and 
com  to  Dounstafage,  quhare  this  vicius  king  remanit  for  the  time. 
The  nois  and  ratling  of  armit  men  maid  na  litil  effray  amang  the 
commonis,  at  thair  first  cuming :  nochtheles,  fra  the  caus  wes  mani- 
fest of  thair  assemblance,  the  pepil  gaderit  fast  out  of  all  partis 
to  assist  to  thaim.  Few  was  than  in  that  army,  that  thocht  nocht 
baith  this  tyrane  worthy  to  be  degradit  of  auctorite,  and  punist  to 
the  deith. 


200  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

Athirco,  advertist  of  this  conspiration,  was  sa  astonist,  that  he 
wist  nocht  quhat  was  to  be  done :  yit  he  gaderit  the  pepill,  that  he 
micht  rais  for  that  time,  and  went  forthwart  with  displayit  baner ; 
traisting  that  his  nobilhs,  fra  his  baner  war  displayit,  suld  geif 
bakkis :  and  quhen  he  fand  thaim  htil  afFrayit,  and  his  awin  cum- 
pany  havand  him  in  contemptioun  for  his  unhappy  dedis,  he  raif  of 
his  coit  armour,  and  maid  him  with  all  diligence  to  fle  in  the  His,  to 
eschew  the  dangeu*  appering.  Incontinent,  the  pepill,  that  was  ar- 
rayit  to  fecht  in  his  opinioun,  war  randerit  to  Nathalak,  becaus  he 
left  thaim  in  that  extreme  dangeir. 

Athirco,  in  this  maner  discomfist,  gat  ane  bait  to  pas  in  the  His ; 
bot  he  was  drevin  agane,  be  contrarius  windis,  to  the  land,  quhare 
his  ennimes  war :  and  quhen  he  saw  na  way  to  eschaip,  he  slew  him- 
self, the  XII  yeir  of  his  regne,  in  the  iv  yeir  of  Valeriane,  Empriour. 
This  Valeriane  maid  ane  miserabil  end,  howbeit  he  had  na  les  ex- 
perience in  morall  doctrine  than  chevelry :  for  he  was  tane  be  Sa- 
pore.  King  of  Pers,  and  his  army  discomfist ;  and  eildit  in  sa  mise- 
rabill  servitude,  that  Sapore  maid  ane  stule  of  his  bak,  to  leip  on 
his  hors. 


How  Nathalak  usurpit  the  crown,  and  persexoit  all  tlie  linnage  of 
Athirco  xoith  gret  crnelteis ;  and  Jinalify  was  slane  be  hisjhnnliar 
servand. 


Thirco  slane  in  this  maner,  his  brothir  Dooms,  havand 
litill  confidence  in  the  nobillis,  fled  with  Findok,  Ca- 
rance,  and  Donald,  the  sonnis  of  Athirco,  in  Pentland ; 
dredand  to  be  invadit  be  Nathalak.  And  as  he  dred,  sa 
followit :  for  Nathalak  send  his  traist  servitouris  in  Pentland,  baith 
to  sla  Dooms,  and  thir  thre  sonnis  of  Athirco.  Thir  men,  that  war 
send  to  this  effect,  slew  ane  man  nocht  unlik,  in  habit,  visage,  and 
yeris,  to  Dooms.  Nathalak,  traisting  Doorus,  as  he  belevit,  slane, 
couvenit  his  nobillis  to  ane  counsall ;   and  efter  that  he  had  brocht 


THE  SEXT  BUKE.  201 

ane  buschement  of  armit  men  to  fortify  his  desiris,  he  said  on  this 
maner:  "  I  am  rejosit,  gud  freindis,  of  the  recent  slauchter  of 
"  Athirco,  quhilk  he  maid  be  just  punitiovui  on  himself.  Nane  is, 
**  I  beleif,  amang  yow,  nocht  knawing  the  motive  and  just  occasion 
"  of  our  rebellioun  aganis  him.  Now  sail  it  be  your  part  to  concurre 
"  with  me,  erar  to  revenge  the  cruelteis  be  him  done,  than  to  suffer 
"  the  samin  proceid  ony  forthir.  Howbeit  his  slauchter  be  schame- 
"  ful  and  odius,  ye  ar  innocent  thairof ;  and  hes  victory  but  ony 
"  blude.  The  treason  wrocht  be  this  odius  tyrane  was  na  les  re- 
"  pugnant  to  your  singular  than  commoun  weill :  nochtheles,  the 
"  samin  is  punist  condignely,  as  he  deservit,  sen  he  was  burio  to 
*'  himself  mair  schamefully  than  we  micht  devise.  Necessar  it  is 
"  to  punis  the  invasour  of  the  commoun  weill ;  for  our  eldaris  pu- 
"  nist  the  treason  of  Durstus  and  Ewin,  effering  to  thair  demeritis : 
"  siclik,  the  cruelteis  of  Lugtak  war  nocht  lang  unpunist.  Monv 
"  otheris  wikit  princis  hes  bene  amang  us,  and  ay  put  down,  fra 
"  thay  war  injurius  to  the  commoun  weill.  Now  suld  ye  nocht 
"  only  geif  thankis  to  the  Eternal  God,  that  hes  deliverit  yow,  youre 
*'  wiffis  and  barnis,  fra  tyranne  of  Athirco ;  bot  to  take  degeist 
"  advisement,  be  quhat  way  al  otheris  tyrannis,  in  times  cuming, 
"  may  be  maist  esalie  eschcwit.  Bewar,  I  pray  yow,  to  suffer  ony 
*'  of  Athircois  linnage  to  regne  above  yow :  othirwayis  ye  sal  be 
"  uterly  distroyit,  for  the  hatrent  thay  bere  aganis  yow;  or  ellis 
"  constranit  to  seik  a  new  habitatioun,  your  guddis  confiscat,  and 
"  de  in  misire." 

Thir  wourdis  movlt  mony  of  the  nobillis  to  his  opinioun ;  otheris 
understude  his  dissait,  and  war  richt  sorrowfull  that  the  sonnis  of 
Athirco  suld  be  disherist :  for  thocht  thay  war  gottin  be  ane  wekit 
fader,  thay  maid  na  offence;  and  sen  thay  war  just  heritouris, 
outhir  suld  the  crown  be  gevin  to  thaim  or  sum  of  thair  blude,  that 
it  micht  remane  haill  to  thaim  at  thair  perfite  age.  Utheris,  that 
war  corruppit  be  Nathalak,  thocht  expedient  nane  of  Athircois  lin- 
nage to  succede,  for  causis  afore  rehersit ;  and  declarit  all  his  sonnis 
rebellis,  and  ennimes  to  the  commoun  weill :  syne  ordanit  Nathalak 
to  be  king.  The  residew  of  the  nobillis,  constranit  mair  be  force 
than  ony  kindnes,  assentit  thairto. 

VOL.  I.  2  c 


202  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

Nathalak,  maid  king  in  this  raaner,  tuke  the  aithis  of  fidehte  fra 
his  nobilhs,  in  presence  of  the  messe ;  and  went  to  Dounstafage. 
And  to  stabill  the  realme  in  mair  securite,  he  gaif  his  guddis,  with 
gret  HberaHte,  amang  thaim  that  he  suspeckit.  And  efter  that  he 
had  conquest  thair  benivolence,  he  began  to  do  sindry  thingis  per- 
tenand  to  ane  gud  prince.  He  schew,  eik,  how  he  tuke  the  charge 
of  the  empire  for  na  proffet  to  himself,  bot  onely  to  make  the  no- 
billis  of  the  realme  different  fra  the  commonis  in  honour  and  riches; 
and  that  men  of  vile  and  obscure  linnage  may  knaw  thaimself  thirllit 
to  servitude  of  the  nobillis.  Alwayis,  sa  lang  as  he  governit  the 
realme  in  honest  constitutionis,  few  war  repugnant  to  him :  noch- 
theles,  unstabill  fortoun  brocht  all  his  felicite  unto  ane  drery  fine ; 
for  within  ane  schort  time  efter,  he  tuke  ane  Avoman  be  adventure, 
quhilk  usit  to  pas  betwix  the  nobillis  and  Athircois  sonnis;  and 
fand  sic  writingis  with  hir,  that  he  understude  perfitly  Doorus, 
quhome  he  traist  slane,  on  live,  with  all  the  sonnis  of  Athirco : 
throw  quhilk  he  wox  sa  tene,  that  he  gart  drown  this  woman  nocht 
far  fra  the  place  quhare  scho  was  takin,  and  kepit  the  writingis  se- 
creit,  quhil  he  saw  his  time ;  and  finallie,  slew  all  the  nobillis  quhom 
he  suspeckit  be  thir  letteris. 

The  freindis  of  thir  nobillis,  quhilkis  war  slane  in  this  wise, 
ruschit  haistely  to  harnes,  to  revenge  thair  slauchter :  and  sa  this 
Nathalak,  traisting  to  make  the  crown  sicker  to  him  and  his  airis 
be  slauchter  and  tyranny,  maid  it  maist  unsicker. 

Als  sone  as  he  understude  his  nobillis  conspirit  aganis  him ;  be 
counsall  of  his  familiaris,  he  fled  in  the  north  partis,  to  gader  ane 
army  out  of  Murray  and  Ros,  to  dant  this  rebellion.  At  last,  seand 
himself  frustrat  of  support,  he  turnit  him  to  wichis,  divinouris,  and 
spaymen,  to  inquire  quhat  suld  be  the  end  of  his  life ;  or  gif  ony 
dangeir  war  approcheand  to  him  be  occult  hatrent  of  his  familiaris. 
To  dres  this  mater  with  mair  diligence,  he  send  ane  of  his  maist 
tender  and  secreit  servandis,  namit  Murray,  to  Comkill,  quhare  ane 
crafty  wiche  was  dwelland  for  that  time.  This  Murray,  efter  his 
cumming,  demandit  the  wiche  of  every  point  in  ordour,  as  he  was 
commandit :  and  scho,  be  craft  of  necromanchy,  gat  knawlege  of  all 
his  petitionis,  and  said,  "  The  empire  of  King  Nathalak  sail  have  ane 
"  haisty  and  miserabill  end,  be  ane  of  his  maist  familiaris."     This 


THE  SEXT  BUKE.  203 

Murray,  nocht  content  of  sa  general  responce,  prayit  hir  to  schaw 
his  name  in  speciall,  that  suld  sla  the  king :  scho  answerit,  "  Thou 
"  sail  sla  him."  Than  this  IVIurray  began  to  chicle  Avith  the  wiche, 
saying,  "  Thow  can  devine  nocht,  bot  sayis  as  thow  pleis,  be  flattery 
"  or  malice.  Thow  sail  be  fals ;  for  I  sail  refuse  na  kind  of  deith, 
*'  or  I  attempt  sa  odius  cruelte." 

This  Murray,  havand  na  othir  answer,  was  richt  astonist,  and  maid 
him  to  return  to  the  king.  Yit  afore  his  cuming  to  the  king,  he 
changit  purpos ;  oft  revolving  in  his  mind  quhat  dangeir  micht  fol- 
low, gif  he  revelit  the  answer,  as  the  wiche  schew,  to  the  king ;  oft 
musand  the  gud  and  the  evil  thairof,  and  knawing  weill  in  quhat 
dangeir  he  stude,  gif  the  king  tuke  ony  suspitioun  of  him.  Efter 
lang  musing,  he  was  fullely  resolvit  erar  to  sla  the  king,  as  tlie  Aviche 
schew,  than  ay  to  leif  in  dangeir  of  his  life.  At  last,  quhen  he  was 
cumin  to  the  kingis  secrete  chalmer  allone  with  the  king,  he  began, 
be  lang  circumstance,  to  schaw  the  wounderful  slichtis  and  opera- 
tioun  of  this  wiche.  In  the  mene  time,  the  king  was  sa  trublit  be 
flux  of  Avambe,  that  he  Avas  constranit  haistely  to  pas  to  his  eis. 
Als  sone  as  this  INIurray  saAv  the  king  at  quiet,  he  pullit  furth  his 
dageir,  and  drave  the  king  to  the  hart,  suspeckand  na  thing  les  than 
sic  treason,  and  kest  his  body  doAvn  in  the  closet ;  sine  stall  aAvay  be 
ane  private  postrome,  and  Avas  the  first  man  that  schew  the  deith  of 
the  king  to  his  conspiratoviris. 

This  end  maid  Nathalak,  the  xr  yeir  of  his  regne;  fra  the  incar- 
natioun,  cc.lii  yeris :  in  the  time  of  Gahenus,  the  maist  febil  Em- 
priour  that  was  afore  him  ;  for  in  his  time,  xxx  tyrannis  iuA^adit  the 
commoun  Aveill  of  Rome  Avith  gret  afflictionis,  but  ony  resistance  in 
the  contrar. 


m 

1 

204  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


Of  King  Fyndok ;  and  hozc  he  dantii  the  lUs,  and  was  slane  he  twa 

men  thairqf. 

Athalak,  the  tyrane,  slane  on  this  maner,  the  nobillis 
send  this  IMurray  in  Pentland,  to  bring  the  thre  sonnis 
of  Athirco  to  Dounstafage ;  and  the  eldest  of  thaim, 
namit  Fyndok,  ane  lusty  and  vailyeant  prince,  was 
maid  king.  He  kepit  gud  peace  with  his  nichtbouris,  the  Romanis 
and  Britonis ;  and  conquest  freindis  mair  be  benivolence,  than  ony 
feir  of  minassing.  Bot,  as  oft  fallis  amang  us,  lang  peace  intertenit 
with  uncouth  pepill,  generis  civill  contention! s  amang  ourself. 

Donald  of  the  His,  to  revenge  the  slauchter  of  Nathalak,  come 
with  ane  gret  power  in  ]\Iurray  and  Ros,  to  the  gret  heirschippis 
and  slauchter  of  the  pepill ;  becaus  thay  favorit  the  slaaris  of  Na- 
thalak, his  freind.  Fyndok,  to  punis  thir  attemptatis,  come  haistely 
in  the  His,  and  faucht  with  Donald,  and  put  him  to  flicht.  Donald, 
discomflst  in  this  maner,  fled  to  the  sees,  quhare  he  fand  ane  bait ; 
and  enterit  with  sic  multitude  of  folkis,  that  scho  sank  within  ane 
mile  to  land,  and  all  the  pepil  in  hir  perist.  Howbeit  the  men  of  the 
His  war  brokin  be  this  chance  of  battal,  thay  ceissit  nocht  fra  thair 
undantit  malice ;  bot  chesit  Donald,  quhilk  was  sonne  to  Donald 
afore  perist,  to  be  thair  capitane ;  and  invadit  the  cuntre  Avith  mair 
trubil  than  afore. 

Fyndok,  to  punis  thir  conspiratouris,  returnit  in  the  His,  and  slew 
all  that  war  apprehendit  of  thair  opinioun ;  syne  kest  down  the 
strenthis  of  the  cuntre,  that  na  refuge  sail  rem  ane  at  thair  return- 
ing. Donald,  afore  the  kingis  cuming,  fled  in  Ireland ;  and  efter 
the  kingis  departing,  returnit  in  the  His  :  and  seand  the  cuntre  heryit, 
and  his  freindis  slane,  he  kest  him  to  do  the  thing  be  slicht,  that  he 
micht  nocht  do  be  force ;  and  send  ane  messingeir,  as  he  had  bene 
penitent  of  all  offence,  to  Fyndok,  and  desirit  grace.  The  king, 
movit  of  piete,  condiscendit  to  thir  desiris :    sa  the  said  Donald 


THE  SEXT  BUKE.  205 

come,  with  the  principal  movaris  of  this  rebellion,  but  wappinnis, 
to  Dounstafage,  to  underly  his  will. 

Donald,  nocht  content  to  have  peace  in  this  maner,  chesit  erar  to 
underly  the  chance  of  fortoun,  than  the  kingis  will :  and  thairfore, 
to  complet  the  treasonabil  purpos  be  him  devisit,  he  send  two  men 
of  subtile  ingine  to  Dounstafage,  to  await  sum  ganand  time  to  sla 
the  king.  Thir  two  men  fenyeit  thaim  gentillmen  of  the  His,  and 
ennimes  to  Donald :  and  at  thair  first  cumming,  thay  gat  litill  cre- 
dence ;  bot  at  last,  be  menis  of  Carance,  the  kingis  brothir,  thay 
war  admittit  to  the  kingis  presence,  and  maid  sa  familiar,  that  thay 
war  deput  be  the  king  to  sit  baith  on  his  privat  and  pviblik  materis. 
At  last,  qvihen  thay  persavit  Carance  set  in  slauchter  of  the  king, 
to  conques  the  crown,  thay  opinnit  thair  mind  to  him ;  and  he  na 
thing  suspendit  thair  purpos,  bot  with  large  promes  tyistit  thaim 
mair  to  the  samin. 

Within  schort  time  efter,  the  king  went  to  ane  hunting,  beside 
Dounstafage,  to  sla  ane  wolf;  and  sat  down  on  ane  mote,  nocht 
knawing  how  thir  limmaris  war  set  for  his  slauchter.  At  last, 
quhen  the  faid  had  brocht  in  the  wolf  afore  the  houndis,  the  skry 
arals,  and  ilk  man  went  to  his  gam.  Thus  wes  the  king  left  his 
alone,  but  ony  cumpany  except  thir  two  His  men.  Than  ane  of 
thaim  began  to  hald  the  king  in  talk,  quhill  the  tothir  tratourusly 
come  behind  him,  and  drave  him  throw  the  body  with  ane  hounting 
staffe.  Als  sone  as  thir  tratouris  had  slane  the  king,  thay  left  the 
staf  stikand  throw  his  body.  The  huntaris  returning  fra  thair  game, 
and  finding  the  king  slane,  folloAvit  sa  fast  on  his  slaaris,  that  thay 
war  baith  takin,  and  demandit,  be  scharp  punitioun,  for  quhat  oc- 
casioun  thay  slew  the  king.  Thir  tratouris,  with  spreit  litill  affrajdt, 
confessit  pertly  the  crime,  schawing  how  thay  war  instruckit  be 
Donald  of  the  His,  and  Carance,  to  sla  the  king.  And  qvihen  thay 
had  discoverit  the  treason,  as  said  is,  thay  war  baith  put  to  maist 
terribill  deith. 

King  Fyndok  was  slane,  the  x  yeir  of  his  regne,  quhilk  was  in  the 
time  of  Floriane,  Empriour.  His  body  was  buryit  efter  the  use  of 
Cristin  princes,  with  gret  lament  of  pepil,  in  ane  riche  sepulture, 
nocht  far  fra  Dounstafage. 


206  CROXIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


HotO  Carance  teas  hanlst  for  Ms  hrotke?-is  slauchtei' ;  and  Donald 
the  Secund  maid  King.  Of  his  deith ;  and  qfsindry  nohill  ClerMs. 

Arance,  the  secund  sonne  of  Athirco,  herancl  the  trea- 
son sa  manifestly  confessit  be  the  slaaris  of  Fyndok,  fled 
in  Italy,  quhair  he  wan  gret  fame  and  honouris  in  the 
weris  of  Dioclesiane  and  Aurelius,  Empriouris :  as  we 
sail  eftir  schaw.  Fyndok,  slane  in  this  maner,  his  brothir  Donald, 
the  secund  of  that  name,  and  thrid  sonne  to  Athirco,  Aves  maid 
king.  This  prince  Aves  takand  avisement  of  his  nobillis,  be  quhat 
maner  he  micht  maist  esalie  revenge  the  slauchter  of  his  brothir  Fyn- 
dok :  quhen  suddanlie  come  tithingis,  that  the  said  Donald  of  the 
His  wes  cumin  in  Ros,  and  invading  the  pepil  thairof  with  heir- 
schippis  and  cruelteis. 

King  Donald  movit  for  thir  attemptatis,  come  haistelie  in  Mur- 
ray with  ane  certane  chosin  men  :  and  commandit  be  generall  pro- 
clamatioun,  under  pane  of  deith,  al  fensabill  men  to  follow  him,  but 
ony  tary.  At  his  cumin  in  Murray,  becaus  he  wes  bot  ane  few  now- 
mer,  he  partit  his  army  at  ane  gret  strenth,  to  abide  the  cuming  of 
the  remanent  army. 

Donald  of  the  His  seing  the  king  of  small  power,  tuke  purpos  to 
jeopcrd  him  to  the  chance  of  fortoun :  and,  but  more  tary,  he  come 
with  sa  scharp  battall  on  the  king,  that  the  king  micht  nocht  use  his 
ordinance  of  bowis  and  speris,  bot  constranit  haistelie  to  fecht  with 
swerdis.  Followit,  ane  terribill  and  scharp  bargane.  Quhil  at  last, 
King  Donald,  ouirset  with  gret  multitude  of  pepill  fechtand  aganis 
him,  wes  tane,  with  mm  men  of  his  army,  and  in  thousand  slane. 
King  Donald  finalie  tuke  sic  malancoly,  that  he  deceissit ;  the  thrid 
day  eftir  that  he  wes  tane,  in  the  first  yeir  of  his  regne. 

In  thir  dayis  wer  mony  clerkis  of  singulare  eruditioun :  as,  Quin- 
tus  Tertulianus,  that  Avrait  mekil  aganis  the  errouris  of  Gentilis  : 
Pylocratis,  Bischop  of  Ephesei ;  in  quhais  time  wes  gret  contentioun 


THE  SEXT  BUKE.  207 

concerning  the  cerimonis  of  Pasche  :  Cipriane,  oratoure,  quhilk  re- 
nuncit  the  errouris  of  gentilis,  and  become  Cristin ;  and  eftir,  wrait 
sindry  bukis  for  the  eruditioun  of  Cristin  pepill. 


How  mony  holy  men  rear  martyritfor  the  faith  of  Crist.  Hoio  Do- 
nald of  the  His,  the  thrid  of  that  name,  usurpit  the  Crozvn,  and 
was  slane  he  Craithlint. 

He  Cristin  faith  sufferit  gret  persecutioun  at  this  time. 

Mony  haly  men  and  wemen  martyrit :  as,  Cipriane, 
ip  Sextus,  Laurence,  Hipohtus,  Barbara,  Ceciha,  Agatha, 

with  mony  otheris,  throw  tyrany  of  Decius,  Empriour. 
And  in  this  time  the  Scottis  began  to  be  richt  profound  in  theologie 
and  haly  writ,  be  doctrine  of  certane  monkis  quhilkis  wer  callit,  in 
thay  day  is,  Culdei ;  that  is  to  say,  the  honoraris  of  God  :  for  tlian 
al  priestis  that  honorit  God  war  callit  Culdei.  Thir  prestis,  be  ge- 
neral vocis,  chesit  ane  bischop,  to  have  auctorite  and  jurisdiction 
above  thaim  ;  and  he  wes  callit  the  Bischop  of  Scotland.  Bot  we 
will  return  to  our  historic. 

Eftir  deith  of  King  Donald,  gret  truble  followit  in  the  realme  ; 
for  Donald  of  the  His  had  sa  mony  nobillis  tane  in  this  last  battall, 
and  held  thaim  in  sic  captivite,  that  nothir  thay,  nor  thair  freindis, 
durst  attempt  ony  thing  aganis  his  desu'is :  throw  quhilk  he  tuke 
the  crown,  and  nocht  onlie  habandonit  all  the  cuntre,  bot  thirllit  the 
nobillis  to  his  assistance.  Howbeit,  thay  lay  ay  in  wait  to  sla  him, 
quhen  time  and  place  micht  appeir.  Donald,  knawin  thair  hatrent 
aganis  him,  tuke  sic  feir  of  his  life,  that  he  gaif  na  man  credit ;  bot, 
as  the  use  of  tyrannis  is,  had  every  man  in  suspitioun  and  dredour. 
Thus  grew  he,  ilk  day,  more  terribill  and  odius  to  his  pepill,  and 
governit  the  realme  with  na  better  yeil  than  he  gat  it.  At  last,  his 
dredour  procedit  sa  far,  that  he  durst  cum  in  na  opin  place  but  gard 
of  armit  men  about  him,  with  halbertis  and  axis  ;  and  inhibit,  that 
ony  othir  man  beir  wappinnis  saiffing  his  awin  gard.     Finalie,  he 


208  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

culd  nocht  be  satlfyit  in  his  minde,  quhill  he  had  slane  all  thaim 
that  he  suspeckit,  and  confiscat  thair  guddis,  in  favour  of  thame  that 
assistit  to  him  ;  intending,  as  ane  bludy  monstoure,  to  conserve  the 
crown  with  siclike  cruelte  as  he  gat  it.  He  slew  als  mony  othir  no- 
billis,  be  vane  causis,  to  promove  men  of  vile  and  obscure  linnage  to 
riches  and  honouris,  but  ony  sicht  to  virtew :  and  rejosit  in  na  thing 
sa  mekill  as  to  gener  frequent  seditionis  amang  his  subdittis ;  traist- 
ing,  be  thair  seditioun,  to  have  felicite  ;  and,  be  thair  concord,  to 
have  trubill  in  his  crown. 

It  wes  said,  this  ci'uell  tyrane  Icuch  nevir  bot  quhen  he  hard  dis- 
cord and  slauchter  of  his  nobillis :  and  als  sone  as  he  hard  the  same, 
he  confiscat  all  thair  guddis,  but  ony  sicht  to  wrang  or  reason :  and 
said  oftimes,  amang  his  familiaris,  Na  sicht  micht  be  mair  plesand  to 
him,  than  to  se  men  murdir  othir  ;  attour,  the  slauchter  of  nobillis 
and  riche  men  ar  richt  necessar  to  the  tranquillite  of  all  realmes,  be- 
caus  thay  ar  ennimes  baith  to  the  king  and  commoun  weil. 

And  quhen  this  tyrane  had  roung  xii  yeris  in  maist  cruelte  above 
the  pepill,  but  ony  titill,  he  come  to  Enverlochte,  with  purpos  to 
pas  in  the  Ihs ;  bot  he  wes  slane,  the  first  nicht  he  come  thair,  be 
Craithlint,  sonne  to  King  Fyndok,  afore  reheirsit,  the  xii  3^eir  of  his 
regne.  Craithlint,  eftir  the  slauchter  of  this  tyrane,  schew  to  the 
nobillis  how  he  had  put  doun  the  tyrane,  Donald  of  the  His :  restit, 
thairfore,  ganand  occasioun  to  revenge  the  gret  oppression  and  cruel- 
teis  done  so  mony  yeris  be  his  unhappy  counsalouris.  The  nobillis, 
glaid  of  this  tyrannis  slauchter,  ruschit  haistely  to  harnes,  and  slew, 
that  samin  nicht,  cc  of  the  principall  assistaris  to  his  opinioun,  and 
the  remanent  chasit  in  Athole  ;  quhilkis  wer  all  slane  sone  eftir,  be 
the  pepill,  quhen  thay  wer  advertist  of  Donaldis  slauchter. 


THE  SEXT  BUKE.  209 


Of  King  CraitJilhit ;  and  hoxv  the  Scott'is  and  PicMsfell  in  conten- 
tioun  be  t hair  hunting,  andfaiicht  with  gret  slauchter  on  all  sidis. 

O  XALD,  the  tvrane,  slane  in  this  maner,  the  crown  wes 
restorit  to  the  blude  of  Athirco  ;  for  Craitlilint,  son  to 
Findok,  becaus  he  slew  this  last  tyrane  sa  vailyeantlie, 

^ ^  "^^  "^aid  king.     Craithlint,  glaid  of  this  feliche,  gaif 

thankis  to  his  subdittis;  and  detestit,  belang  orison  afore  the  coun- 
sal,  the  tyrany  of  Donald  of  the  His,  usurpar  of  the  crown,  but  ony 
titill ;  apd  giding  the  samin  with  treason,  falset,  reif,  and  slauchter 
of  nobiUis :  and  exhortit  the  pepill,  sen  this  tyrane,  be  his  prudence, 
wes  distroyit,  to  rejose,  and  to  suffir  nane  of  the  said  Donaldis  blude 
on  live,  in  aventure  thay  nuris  sic  displesour  to  thaimself,  be  thair 
non  advertence,  as  sum  time  did  King  Donald,  fechtand  unwarly 
with  the  said  Donald  of  the  His :  quhairthrow,  the  nobilite  of  Scot- 
land  was  oppressit  xii  yeris  with  sic  tyrannyis,  that  na  man  micht 
resist  the  samin.  And  for  thir  reasonis,  he  desirit  thaim  to  assist  to 
him  to  repare  all  oppressionis  done  be  cruelte  of  the  said  Donald  of 
the  Ihs :  quhilk  thingis  beand  done,  all  materis  micht  succede,  within 
schort  time,  as  thay  desirit. 

The  nobillis,  na  les  movit  be  his  excellent  beawte,  and  lustines  of 
person,  than  be  his  wordis,  swore  to  take  his  part  in  al  materis 
Nocht  lang  efter,  al  the  linnage  of  Donald  His  was  socht  in  aU  partis 
and  slane,  but  ony  difference  of  thair  estait.  ' 

Sic  thingis  done,  Craithlint  chesit  wise  and  prudent  men  to  do 
justice  throw  al  boundis  of  his  realme ;  syne  past,  with  ane  certane 
his  nobilhs,  to  the  montanis  of  Granyebene,  to  pas  his  time  in  hunt- 
ing. In  the  mene  time,  come  to  him,  the  ambassatouris  of  Thelar- 
gus  King  of  Pichtis,  schawing  him  rejosit,  that  the  tyrane  Donald 
of  the  Ihs  was  slane,  and  the  crown  restorit  to  the  native  blude  • 
and  desirit,  thairfore,  the  auld  band  of  peace  to  be  renewit,  for  the 
VOL.  I.  2d 


210  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

Weill  of  baith  thair  realmes.    Thir  deslris  war  plesandly  grantit,  and 
the  ambassatouris  honorably  depeschit. 

Nocht  lang  efter,  certane  nobillis  of  Pichtis  come  to  hunt  with  the 
king  in  Granyebene.  The  Pichtis,  in  thair  hunting,  stentit  Strang 
nettis  on  lesuris  and  medois,  and  drave  the  hertis  apone  the  nettis 
with  thair  hunlis :  and  quhen  the  beistis  escliapit,  thay  cloithit  thaim 
with  branchis  and  levis  of  treis,  like  stalkaris  ;  sine  slew  the  deir 
with  braid  aiTowis  and  dartis,  quhen  thay  war  lyand  wery.  The 
Scottis,  na  thing  content  of  this  game,  becaus  it  was  contrar  thair 
lawis ;  gart  remove  thair  nettis,  and  hunt  on  thair  maner,  takand  the 
pray  be  swift  houndis  allanerly.  The  Pichtis,  seand  thair  houndis 
of  les  reputatioun  than  the  Scottis,  baith  in  bewte,  swiftnes,  lang 
renk,  and  hardiment ;  desirit  ane  certane  of  every  kind  of  houndis 
to  be  gevin  to  thaim,  that  the  samin  micht  be  bred  amang  thaimself. 
And  quhen  thay  had  gottin  every  kind  thairof  gevin  to  thaim,  as 
thay  desirit,  thay  stale  ane  certane  houndis,  and  Avent  hame  with 
the  samin,  but  ony  advise  of  Scottis.  Amang  thir  houndis  tane,  as 
said  is,  be  thir  Pichtis,  was  ane  quhite  hound,  plesand,  and  mair 
spedy  than  ony  othir,  quhom  Craithlint  had  in  maist  delite.  The 
maister  of  huntis,  astonist  throw  the  wanting  of  this  hound,  follow- 
it  sa  scharply,  that  he  fand  the  samin  ;  and  was  sa  fervent  in  reco- 
vering thairof,  that  he  was  finaly  slane. 

The  skry  arrais  efter  this  slauchter,  and  maid  the  nobillis  and 
commonis  of  Scotland  to  returne  in  maist  fury  to  revenge  the  same 
The  Pichtis,  on  the  samin  maner,  gaderit  on  the  tothir  side,  with 
na  les  fury  to  resist :  throw  quhilk  followit  ane  haisty  and  mische- 
vus  battall,  Avith  gret  slauchter  on  ilk  side ;  nane  of  thaim  knawing 
the  motive  nor  occasion  thairof.  In  this  unhappy  bergane  wer  slane, 
Lx  Scottis  gentilmen,  with  gret  nowmer  of  commonis ;  and  of  Pichtis 
mo  than  ane  hundreth. 

The  fame  of  this  unhappy  battall,  divulgat  in  the  cuntre,  movit 
the  freindis  of  thaim  that  war  slane,  to  seik  vengeance  Avith  mair 
hatrent  than  afore.  Thus  gaderit  thay  agane  on  al  sidis,  and  faucht, 
but  capitane,  baner,  or  ordour  of  chevelry,  neir  to  the  uter  distrac- 
tion of  thaim  baith.  Alwayis  the  Scottis  war  discomfist,  mmm  of 
thaim  slane,  and  mm  Pichtis. 


THE  SEXT  BUKE.  211 

Be  this  slauchter,  thir  two  pepill,  that  -was  sa  lang  confiderat  to- 
gidder,  fra  the  time  of  Fergus,  the  first  King  of  Scottis,  to  thir 
dayis,  ay  rising  under  ane  blude,  amite  and  kindnes ;  grew  in  maist 
hatrent  aganis  otheris,  for  ane  sponk  of  small  occasioun  of  unkind- 
nes ;  throw  quhilk  nane  of  thame  apperit  to  ceis  fra  uter  extreminion 
of  othir.  Followit,  sa  mony  bludy  incursionis,  day  and  nicht,  that 
na  houssis,  nor  respect  of  age,  micht  be  defence  or  refuge  contrar 
thair  cruelte  and  slauchter  on  athir  side. 


Hoii)  Carance,  brothtr  to  FindoJc,  returnit  out  of  Italy ^  xvith  gret 
riches,  in  Albion,  How  he  conquest  Westmureland,  and  maid 
peace  hetioix  Scottis  and  Pichtis. 

Helargcs,  King  of  Pichtis,  richt  agit,  and  nere  con- 
sumit  be  yeris,  was  sorowfull  for  this  contention  falling 
betwix  the  two  pepill  sa  lang  confiderat,  cumin  be  sud- 
]  dane  pertinacite  of  undantit  personis :  and  send  his  ora- 
touris  to  Craithlint,  schawand  him  na  les  displesit  for  the  slauchter 
and  trubill  falling  to  Scottis,  than  to  his  awin  pepil ;  for  the  same 
tendit  to  the  dammage  of  baith  thair  commoun  welis :  attoure,  na 
crime  micht  be  impute  to  him;  for  he  nevir  consentit  thairto.  And 
sen  the  said  trubill  was  cumin  mair  be  privat  than  publict  auctorite, 
he  thoucht  that  pepill  sa  lang  confiderat,  suld  put  end  to  thair  weris, 
and  have  peace  with  othir :  for,  gif  thay  perseverit  with  ire  and  hatrent 
aganis  othir,  nocht  sal  follow  bot  uter  ruine  of  baith  thair  realmes, 
and  the  samin  to  fall  in  pray  to  Romanis.  Forthir,  he  was  reddy 
to  repair  al  offence  and  injuris  done  be  his  pepil  to  Scottis;  and  de- 
sirit  to  have  peace,  that  baith  the  pepil  micht  erar  returne  to  con- 
cord, for  defence  of  thair  realmes,  than  to  Derseveir  in  battallis,  to 
the  finall  eversion  of  thaim  baith. 

The  Scottis  war  sa  impacient  for  the  recent  slauchter  maid  on  thaim 
be  Pichtis,  that  thir  oratouris  micht  skarsly  parches  licence  to  schaw 


212  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

thair  message.  Nochtheles,  thay  gat  finaly  presence,  and  schew  thair 
desiris  to  Craithlint,  in  maner  afore  rehersit. 

It  was  answerit  be  King  Craithlint,  that  na  thing  micht  cum  sa 
displesand  to  him,  as  suddane  trubill  falling  amang  thay  pepil, 
quhilkis  hes  bene  so  lang  confiderat  togidder  in  amite  and  blude. 
And  thoucht  peace  war  mair  plesand  to  his  pepill  than  battall,  yit, 
the  recent  slauchter  is  sa  deip  ingravin  in  thair  breistis,  that  thay 
refuse  to  gif  peace.  Nochtwithstanding,  he  wald  gif,  of  his  awin 
auctorite,  thre  monethis  trewis;  that  the  nobiUis  of  baith  thair  realmis 
may  be  profoundly  resolvit  to  pas  and  repas,  to  decerne  quhat  is  to 
be  done. 

The  trewis,  tane  in  this  maner,  war  plesant  to  the  King  of  Pichtis, 
beleving  ihairthrow  to  put  ane  end  to  thir  debaittis,  and  to  all  dis- 
plesouris  following  be  the  same.  Yit,  nochtwithstanding  thir  trewis, 
sindry  incursionis  war  maid  on  athir  side. 

Quhill  sic  thingis  occurrit  betwix  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  Carance,  the 
secund  brothir  to  Findok,  quhome  Ave  schew  banist  afore  for  his 
slauchter,  wan  gret  honouris  in  Italy.  This  Carance,  efter  his  pro- 
scripption,  was  ane  man  of  armis  in  the  Romane  weris,  howbeit  nane 
knew  his  nobil  blude ;  and  Avan  sic  fame  be  his  manlieid  and  proues, 
that  na  capitane  was  repute  mair  worthy  to  haif  chargis  be  the  Em- 
priour. 

Nocht  long  efter  this,  Carance  was  send  be  Dioclesiane,  Empriour, 
with  ane  flote  of  schippis,  to  defende  the  costis  of  Normandy  and 
Picardy  fra  injure  of  Saxonis,  Franchemen,  and  othir  pirattis, 
quhilkis  invadit  the  samin  with  frequent  injuris.  At  his  cuming, 
he  wald  nocht  jeopard  him  aganis  his  ennimes,  quhil  thay  war  ladin 
ful  of  riches  and  guddis ;  to  that  fine,  that  fra  the  pray  war  tane,  he 
micht  be  enrichit  thairwith.  Yit,  becaus  he  nothir  deliverit  the 
pray  thairof  to  the  Empriour  nor  his  capitanis,  he  was  haldin  sus- 
pect, and  persewit  to  the  deith.  Als  sone  as  Carance  understude 
the  Empriour  movit  with  sic  hatrent  aganis  him,  he  pullit  up  sahs, 
and  come,  with  his  weirmen  and  riches,  be  the  Ireland  seis,  in  West- 
raureland,  ane  part  of  Britane  nocht  far  fra  the  landis  of  Scottis  and 
Pichtis,  traisting  to  have  sum  rescours  of  thaim  aganis  the  Romanis. 
Sone  efter,  he  set  his  army  on  land,  and  Avith  smal  difficulte  gat  all 
the  pepil  thairof  randerit  to  him.    Sic  thingis  done,  he  send  his  ora- 


THE  SEXT  BUKE.  213 

touris  to  Craithlint,  his  nepot,  schawand,  thoucht  he  was  banist  for 
suspitioun  of  the  slauchter  of  his  brothir  Findok,  be  invy  of  wikit 
personis,  and  brocht  in  gret  misery  and  trubii  thairthrow ;  yit  he 
was  innocent  thairof,  and  had  governit  him  sa  wisly,  efter  sindry 
chargis  gevin  to  him  be  the  Empriour,  that  he  was  send  with  ane 
flote  of  schippis  to  pecify  the  occiane  seis ;  and,  be  the  samin,  hes 
won  gret  honour  and  riches.  Yit,  becaiis  the  Empriour  was  movit 
aganis  him  be  invy  of  detractouris,  he  was  cuming  Avith  sic  army 
and  riches  in  Westmureland,  that  he  hes  broclit  the  inhabitantis 
thairof  to  his  opinion.  Thus  had  he  ferme  esperance,  gif  the  Scottis 
and  Pichtis  wald  concur  with  him,  to  ding  the  Romanis  out  of  Al- 
bion :  for  the  power  of  Romanis  was  daily  wastit  in  Britane  ;  and 
sa  gret  rebellion  maid  aganis  thaim  in  all  partis,  that  thay  micht 
send  na  support  in  Britane.  Thus  micht  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis 
have  ane  ganand  time  to  ding  the  Romanis  out  of  Britane,  and  to 
kepe  him,  thair  native  blude,  in  the  empire  thairof;  swa  thay  wald 
remove  all  hatrent  and  sedition  risin  amang  thaim,  and  have  peace 
with  othir. 

Craithlint  thocht  the  kindnes  of  his  eme  Carance  nocht  to  be  re- 
fusit,  seand  him  cuming  in  Britane  with  sa  gret  pissance,  and  reddy 
to  support  him  in  all  dangeris  ;  and  thairfore  answerit  to  thir  era- 
touris,  that  he,  mony  yeris  gone,  had  foryet  all  offence,  gif  ony  was 
maid  to  his  fader,  and  rejosit  nocht  htill  of  the  present  felicite  fall- 
ing to  his  eme  Carance ;  and  wald  fulfil  his  desiris,  sa  far  as  he  micht, 
at  al  pointis,  aganis  the  Britonis,  gif  he  micht  have  peace  of  Pichtis. 
And  thocht  he  micht  have  nane,  he  suld  send  in  his  support,  ane 
cumpany  of  chosin  men  ;  bot  his  self  behuvit  to  abide  at  hame,  for 
defence  of  his  realme  aganis  the  said  Pichtis. 

Carance,  glaid  of  this  answer,  stuffit  al  the  strenthis  of  Westmure- 
land ;  and  come,  with  ane  cumpany  of  weill  accuterit  men,  to  the 
wattir  of  Esk,  nocht  far  fra  the  wall  of  Adriane,  quhare  he  met 
Craithhnt,  and  fell  on  kneis  at  his  first  meting ;  declaring  him,  be 
mony  evident  reasonis,  innocent  of  Findokis  slauchter :  and  desirit 
the  king  to  have  him  in  na  suspitioun ;  for  thocht  he  was  bannist, 
be  invy  and  hatrent,  among  uncouth  pepell,  yit  he  behavit  himself 
in  sic  maner,  that  he  wes  returnit  in  Albion,  baith  to  the  honour  of 
himself  and  his  freindis.    Craithhnt  embrassit  his  eme  Carance  maist 


214  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

tenderly,  and  prayit  him  to  stand  gud  freinde,  as  he  suld  do  to  him ; 
and  to  leif  na  thing  of  his  purpose,  sen  gret  lionour  and  profFet,  gif 
fortoun  war  propiciant,  micht  succede  be  the  samin  :  and  promittit, 
gif  the  Piclitis  weris  war  nocht  impediment  to  him,  he  suld  nocht 
faill  to  support  him  with  his  uter  pissance.  Carance,  rejosing  of  the 
kingis  benivoience,  said,  he  had  sufficient  army  to  expell  the  Ro- 
maiiis  out  of  Britane,  and  to  transfer  the  crown  thairof  in  the  lin- 
nage  of  Scottis,  gif  Scottis  and  Pichtis  wald  assist  to  him. 

Finaly,  be  prudent  industry  of  Carance,  baith  thir  two  kingis  war 
brocht  togidder,  accumpanyit  with  ane  few  nowmer  on  ilk  sid.  And 
to  bring  thaim  to  the  mair  sicker  concord,  Carance  began  to  remem- 
bir  thaim,  how  the  auld  affinite  betwix  thaim  was  commodius :  be 
contrar  the  violatioun  thairof,  full  of  dammage  to  thaim  baith.  And 
rememberit  thaim  of  thair  frequent  chevelryis,  sa  lang  continewing 
aganis  the  fury  of  Romanis  and  Britonis,  in  defence  of  thair  realmis 
and  liberteis,  with  sic  amite  and  kindnes,  that  injuris  done  to  ony 
ane  of  thaim  war  repute  equale  to  thame  baith.  For  thir  reasonis,  it 
was  necessar  to  thaim  othir  to  haif  peace  with  othir  for  thair  com- 
moun  Weill,  or  ellis  to  perseveir  in  battall,  to  the  distruction  of  thaim 
baith.  Be  thir  and  siclike  wourdis,  the  two  kingis  war  persuadit  to 
haif  peace,  and  to  repair  injuris  on  athir  side. 

Sone  efter,  viii  newtral  personis,  of  gret  prudence,  war  chosin 
with  baith  thair  consentis,  be  quhome  the  peace  was  finaly  roborat, 
and  al  injuris  plesandly  redressit. 


THE  SEXT  BUKE.  215 


Hoxo  Carance,  be  support  of  Scottls  and  PicJitis,  slew  Bassiane, 
Capitane  of  Britane,  and  hike  the  croicii  thairqf;  and  of  his  deith. 
And  how  the  crown  of  Britane  was  restorit  to  Romanis. 

OcHT  lang  eftir,  Quintus  Bassianus,  capitane  of  Britane, 
rasit  his  camp  to  invade  the  said  Carance :  for  he  was 
cummin  to  York  with  thre  gret  buschementis  of  Scottis, 
Pichtis,  and  otheris,  his  freindis,  and  gottin  the  samin 
randerit  to  him  but  ony  offence  of  the  inhabitantis.  Bassianus, 
nochtwithstanding  the  frequent  rebelhon  maid  aganis  the  Romanis 
in  all  partis,  yit,  to  revenge  the  attemptatis  done  be  Carance,  rasit 
his  army,  and  parkit  the  samin  within  the  nicht,  betwix  two  mossis, 
on  ane  strait  ground.  Carance,  nocht  x  mills  fra  him,  and  well  ad- 
vertist  of  his  doingis,  come  forthwart  in  the  samin  maner  to  gif  him 
battall.  On  the  morrow,  Bassianus  arrayit  his  folkis,  and  exhortit 
thaim  to  remembir  how  thay  war  to  fecht  for  defence  of  equite  aganis 
certanefals  conspiratouris;  specially  aganis  the  treasonabil  murdresar, 
Carance,  maist  odius  creatour  to  God  for  his  detestabil  offence.  And 
forthir,  prayit  thaim  to  have  respect  to  the  Romane  virtew,  quhilk 
hes  ben  ay  of  sa  gret  estimatioun,  baith  afore  immortall  goddis  and 
men ;  that  thay  micht  have,  be  reward  of  victory,  nocht  only  infinite 
riches,  bot  perpetuall  loving  be  thair  posterite. 

On  this  othir  side,  Carance  was  na  les  diligent,  exhorting  his  army 
to  battal :  saing,  Thair  ennimes  had  gret  disavantage  to  fecht  mth 
thaim,  becaus  the  maist  part  of  thame  wer  Britonis,  havand  na  les 
hatrent  aganis  Romanis  than  he  hes,  and  wald  leif  thame  quhen  thay 
saw  ony  dangeir  occurring :  and  thairfore,  victory  wes  present  in 
thair  handis,  gif  thay,  with  manheid  and  prudence,  fershe  ruschit  on 
thair  ennimes. 

Als  sone  as  baith  the  armyis,  be  blast  of  trumpat,  junit,  the  Bri- 
tonis left  the  Romanis,  and  went,  as  thay  had  bene  fleand,  in  gud 
array  to  the  nixt  hill.     The  Romanis,  seing  thair  sidis  nakit  be 


216  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

fleing  of  Britonis,  wer  astonist,  and  more  mindfull  of  thair  singular 
Weill,  than  ony  glore  of  victory.  Finalie,  tliay  wer  sa  dejcckit  of 
thair  curage,  that  thay  wer  put  to  flicht :  on  quhom  followit  Carance, 
with  all  his  army,  in  maist  hatrent ;  and  slew  thame  ay,  quhare  thay 
wer  tane,but  ony  miseratioun.  Carance,  seand  sa  huge  slauchter  maid 
be  the  chace,  callit  his  folkis,  be  sound  of  trumpat,  to  the  standart. 

In  this  battall  wer  slane,  Quintus  Bassianus,  capitane  of  Britane, 
and  Hircius,  procuratour,  with  mony  othir  nobillis  and  commonis 
of  thair  blude.  The  residew  of  Britonis,  quhilkis  wer  eschapit  fra 
diis  battall,  wer  randerit  to  Carance ;  and  gaif  pledgis  of  the  noblest 
that  wer  in  thair  realme,  nocht  within  xx  yeris,  nor  above  i.x  yeris, 
to  be  his  trew  subdittis  in  times  cuming.  Als  sone  as  the  praye  of 
guddis  faUing  be  chance  of  battall  wes  devidit  amang  the  victorius 
pepill,  Carance  past  to  London  :  quhair  he  wes  rcssavit  with  gret 
reverence,  and  tuke  the  sceptour  and  diademe  of  Britane,  contrar 
the  empire  of  Romanis.  Eftir  that,  it  wes  maid  tributar  to  Julius, 
cccxLvi  yeris. 

Carance,  crownit  in  this  maner,  held  mm  Scottis  and  Pichtis  con- 
tinev>^ally  about  him,  in  maner  of  ane  gard.  The  remanent  Scottis 
and  Pichtis  returnit  hame,  richit  with  the  spulye  of  this  last  battall. 
Than  Carance,  in  more  princely  reward  of  thair  laubouris,  gaif  all 
the  landis  lyand  betwix  the  wall  of  Adriane  and  Yorke,  namit  West- 
mureland  and  Cumber,  to  thair  perpetuall  dominioun.  And  throAv 
this  liberahte,  he  come  in  gret  hatrent,  baith  to  llomanis  and  Bri- 
tonis. And  howbeit  he  wes  oftimes  assailyeit  be  thaim  with  scharp 
battallis,  yit  he  wes  victorius  at  all  jornays,  and  brukit  the  crown  of 
Britane  be  crafty  prudence ;  quhil  at  last  he  wes  slane,  the  vii  yeir 
of  his  regne,  be  Alectus,  Romane  capitane.  This  Alectus,  eftir  the 
slauchter  of  Carance,  set  his  extreme  besines,  to  bring  the  Britonis 
agane  to  Romane  lawis.  And  quhen  he  saw  thay  micht  na  wayis 
be  brocht  thairto,  for  the  cruell  hatrent  thay  had  aganis  Romanis, 
he  maid  laubouris  to  have  thair  benivolence,  and  finalie  applaudit 
to  thair  opinioun,  and  tuk  the  crown  of  Britane  contrar  the  auctorite 
of  Romanis.  And  yit  he  rang  with  na  better  fortoun  than  did  Ca- 
rance ;  for  he  wes  slane  in  the  samin  maner,  be  Asclepiadotus,  the 
thrid  yeir  of  his  regne  :  eftir  quhais  deith,  the  crown  of  Britane  wes 
restorit,  as  it  wes  afore,  to  the  Romanis. 


THE  SEXT  BUKE.  217 


Ofgret  crnelte  done  he  Diocleslan,  Empr'ioiire,  aganis  Cristin  pe- 
pilL  Hozo  Coell  vhicust  the  Romanis,  and  conquest  the  crown  of 
Britonis.  How  he  was  alliat  with  Constantius,  Empriour ;  and 
of  the  nativite  ofgret  Constantine. 

loCLESiANE,  Emprioure  at  this  time,  be  vassalage  of 
Constantius,  Maximianus,  and  Galerius,  dantit  the 
warld  Avith  sindry  chances  of  battall,  and  wes  the  first 
Romane  Emprioure  that  wes  adorit  with  kingly  reve- 
rence ;  lor,  afore  thay  day  is,  the  Emprioure  usit  nocht  hot  saluta^- 
tionis.  This  Emprioure  causit  riche  perle  and  precious  stanis  to  be 
set  in  his  schone,  in  mair  taikin  of  insolence  than  ony  ornament. 
Afore  that  time,  wes  na  difference  betwix  Empriouris  and  uthir  pe- 
pil,  except  the  rob  rial.  This  Dioclesiane  wes  sa  odious  and  bludy 
tyrane,  that  xvii.m  men  and  wemen  wer  martyrit  be  him,  for  de- 
fence of  Cristin  faith.  This  cruelte  nocht  onlie  enrao-it  in  the  eist 
and  west  partis  of  the  warld,  bot  als  in  Britane.  And,  above  thir 
cruelteis,  infinite  nowmer  of  thame  wer  condampnit  to  the  galionis, 
winning  of  qucrrellis  and  minis.  Be  him  also  wer  brint,  innoumera- 
ble  bukis  of  Cristin  faith,  contenand  the  evangelUs  of  Crist,  -with 
the  actis  and  epistillis  of  his  appostollis ;  traisting  thairthrow,  that 
the  faith  of  Crist  suld  all  uterlie  expire.  Throw  quhilk,  the  Cris- 
tin faith,  ouirthrawin  with  new  scurgis  and  perseverand  cruelte,  wes 
neir  perist.  Mony  haly  and  relligious  men,  for  feir  of  thir  cruelteis, 
fled  in  desertis  and  elraige  placis ;  quhair  thay  wer  exonerit  of  all 
truble,  and  leiffit  ane  haly  life. 

This  dispitfull  tyrane,  Dioclesiane,  eftir  sindry  his  triumphis  maid 
in  Rome,  for  victoryis  of  divers  pepill  of  the  warld,  wes  trublit,  be 
punition  of  God,  with  mony  uncouth  infirmiteis,  and  for  slauchter 
of  sa  mony  innocent  pepill.  He  become  furious  at  Salonas,  and 
slew  himself  be  drink  of  vennome,  the  xx  yeir  of  his  regne  ;  to  be 

VOL.  I.  2  E 


;218  CRONIKLTS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

exampill,  that  na  man  put  confidence  of  felicite  and  eternall  live  in 
vane  favoui-  and  assentatioun  of  pepil.  Quhil  sic  thingis  wer  done 
be  Dioclesian,  Coel,  discending  of  the  anciant  and  nobill  blude  of 
Britonis,  wes  sohstit  be  thaim  to  rebel  aganis  the  Romanis.  Ascle- 
piadotus,  advertist  heirof,  met  him  with  the  army  of  Romanis,  and 
othir  that  stude  at  his  opinioun.  Followit,  ane  aufull  and  dangerus 
battall,  lang  fochtin  with  dovitsum  victory  :  bot  at  last  the  Romanis 
wer  discomfist,  and  Asclepiadotus,  thair  capitane,  slane. 

Coel,  eftir  this  victory,  wes  maid  king :  and  to  stabill  the  realme 
to  him  in  sicker  peace,  he  commandit,  be  generall  edict,  all  Romanis, 
and  otheris  of  thair  opinioun,  to  be  slane,  quhare  ever  thay  micht  be 
apprehendit.  Constantius,  Emprioure,  to  meit  this  rebellioun,  come 
in  Britane  with  mony  Romane  legionis.  Aganis  quhome  went  King 
Coel,  with  ane  army  of  Britonis,  to  defend  his  realme  and  liberte  : 
nochtheles,  he  wes  vincust,  and  his  army  put  to  flicht.  On  the  mor- 
row, Constantius  wes  informit  be  the  Britonis,  that  King  Coel  wes 
native  prince  of  Britane,  and  discending  be  lang  progressioun  of  the 
blude  riall  thairof :  and  thairfore,  be  commiseratioun,  he  send  ane 
herald  to  him,  schawing,  gif  he  wald  be  randerit,  as  othir  Briton 
kingis  wer  afore,  to  Romanis,  he  suld  be  sufFerit  to  remane  in  his 
auctorite.  King  Coel  wes  this  time  trubillit  with  gret  infimnite, 
cumin  be  surfet  cavild  and  walking,  in  his  weris  aganis  the  Romanis. 
Constantius,  heirand  of  his  infirmite,  past  to  mak  him  consolatioun. 
Eftir  maist  tender  embrasing,  the  said  Constantius  continewit  King 
Coell  in  his  auctorite ;  and  tuke  his  douchter  Helene,  ane  virgine  of 
maist  excellent  bewte,  in  mariage.  This  affinite  maid  Romanis  and 
Britonis  to  beleve  ane  finall  end  to  al  thair  weris.  Sic  thingis  done, 
Constantius  went  to  vesy  the  Romane  strenthis  in  Britane ;  and  nocht 
onlie  reparit  thame  quhare  thay  wer  ruinus,  bot  stuffit  thaim  with 
new  provisioun  of  men  and  vittallis  :  syne  commandit  the  cieteyanis 
of  every  town  quhare  he  come,  to  be  obeisant  to  King  Coell  during 
his  life,  becaus  he  wes  freind  of  the  senat  and  pepill  of  Rome. 
Schort  time  eftir,  Constantius  had  ane  Sonne,  gottin  be  this  new 
affinite,  namit  Constantine  ;  quhilk,  for  his  singulare  manheid  and 
prudence,  succedit,  eftir  his  faderis  deith,  to  the  diademe  imperial], 
and  wes  the  first  Empriour  that  gaif  peace  to  the  Catholike  kirk ; 
and  dotat  it  with  mony  riche  templis,  landis,  and  jowellis,  be  horta- 


THE  SEXT  BUKE.  219 

tioun  of  the  haly  Paip,  Silvester.  Bot  we  will  returne  to  the  marciall 
dedis  that  Constantius  did  afore  this  time  in  Britane. 

Constantius,  eftir  the  deith  of  Dioclesiane,  havand  Britane,  France, 
and  Spanye,  peacifyit  to  his  empire  ;  gaderit  ane  army  to  expell  the 
Scottis  and  Pichtis  out  of  Westmureland  and  Cumber,  quhilkis  wer 
gevin  to  thaim  afore  be  King  Carance.  Eftir  his  cumming  to  York, 
he  wes  advertist,  that  Scottis  and  Pichtis  wer  stronglie  gaderit  to 
resist  him.  And  becaus  he  knew  thay  micht  not  abid  lang  togidder, 
he  thocht  best  to  brek  thaim  be  lang  tary.  And,  to  the  samin  ef- 
fecte,  he  abaid  still  with  sindry  Romanis  at  York,  and  commandit 
the  Britonis  to  pas  hame,  and  be  reddy  to  return  quhen  thay  wer 
chargit.  Finalie,  quhen  he  had  remanit  certane  dayis  in  York,  ge- 
vand  his  extreme  deligence  to  brek  the  Pichtis  fra  the  Scottis,  he 
tuke  sic  malancholy,  becaus  he  micht  nocht  bring  his  purpos  to  gude 
fine,  that  he  fel  in  ane  hait  fever,  and,  the  vii  day  eftir,  deceissit. 
Quhais  powder  wes  gaderit  in  ane  goldin  veschell,  with  mony  smell- 
and  odouris,  and  brocht  with  funerall  triumphe  to  Rome. 

This  Constantius,  as  we  have  schawin,  Aves  richt  thankfuU  to 
Cristin  pepil.  Nochtheles,  sindry  Britonis,  traisting  him  to  persew 
the  faith  of  Crist  with  sic  cruelte  as  Dioclesiane  did  afore,  come  in 
Scotland :  quhare  thay  wer  plesandly  ressavit  be  Craithlint,  and  or- 
danit  to  raaik  thair  residence  in  the  He  of  Man,  with  kirkis  ereckit 
to  thaim  in  Catholik  maner,  for  devine  service.  Thus  wer  the  auld 
ritis  and  cerimonis  of  Gentilis,  quhilkis  indurit  to  thay  dayis,  abro- 
gat.  The  first  bischop  that  wes  amang  thaim  in  this  He,  wes  ane 
Briton  namit  Amphibolus  :  quhilk  prechit  the  evangellis  throw  all 
the  boundis  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis  ;  and  nocht  onlie  removit  al  vane 
superstitionis,  bot  laid  the  sickir  foundement  of  the  Cristin  faith. 
Craithlint,  King  of  Scottis,  dotat  this  kirk,  be  his  singular  devo- 
tioun,  with  mony  jowellis  and  precious  ornamentis  of  gold  and  silver ; 
and  maid  ane  alter  of  copper,  craftely  closit  with  lokkis,  in  quhilk 
wer  gaderit,  the  rentis  and  malis  of  sindry  landis,  quhilkis  wer  gevin 
be  the  king  for  sustentatioun  of  divine  serAace.  This  wes  the  first 
kirk  that  wes  dedicat  amang  us  in  Catholik  maner ;  and  first  sait  of 
bischoppis  callit  Sodoren,  howbeit  the  reason  thairof  be  tint  be 
roust  of  yeris,  quhilk  distroyis  every  thing.  Craithlint,  passing  his 
time  in  this  maner,  with  rehgious  and  civil  materis,  wes  ane  nobill 


220  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

prince ;  and  finalie  deceissit,  the  xxiv  yeir  of  his  regne  :  the  first 
yeir  of  the  empire  of  gret  Constaiitine,  Empriour ;  fra  the  incarna- 
tioun,  cccxxii  yeris;  fra  the  beginning  of  the  warld,  v.M.ccccxc 
veris  ;  fra  the  beginning  of  the  realme  of  Scottis,  dclv  yeris. 


Cljap*  Centlj* 

How  Fincormak  ivas  maul  Xing  of  Scottis ;  and  Octavhis,  King  of 
Britonis.  Hotsj  Heraileus,  Romane  Capitane,  isoas  slane  be  Oc- 
tavius;  and  the  Romanis  vincust.  How  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis 
come  in  support  of  Octavius,  and  chasit  Traherus  in  France. 

RAiTHLiNT  deceissit  on  this  ^nse,  succedit,  his  cosing, 
Fincormak ;  for  thay  wer  brethir  sonnis.  This  Fin- 
cormake  wes  crownit  in  the  first  yere  of  gret  Constant 
tine.  In  quhais  time  rais  gret  trubil  in  Albion  :  for  the 
commonis  of  Britane,  havand  extreme  hatrent  aganis  the  tyranny  of 
Caius  Herculeus,  capitane  of  Britane,  chesit  Octavius,  Prince  of 
Wahs,  to  be  thair  king.  Caius  Herculeus,  to  dant  this  rebellion, 
rasit  his  camp  aganis  Octavius ;  bot  at  last  he  wes  slane,  and  his  ar- 
my discomfist.  Octavius,  traisting  na  thing  sa  gud  as  to  use  his 
victory  with  maist  rigoure,  come  to  London ;  and  eftir  that  he  had 
gottin  all  the  strenthis  thairof  randerit  to  him,  he  slew  sindry  nobill 
men  of  Britane,  for  thair  assistance  to  Romanis :  syne  persewit  the 
Romanis  to  the  deith,  quhair  evu*  thay  micht  be  apprehendit. 

Constantine,  Empriour,  to  punis  this  rebellion,  send  ane  vailyeant 
capitane,  namit  Traherus,  Avith  mony  legionis,  in  Britane ;  be  quhom 
Octavius  wes  put  to  flicht,  and  chasit  amang  the  Scottis.  Traherus, 
insolent  eftir  this  victory,  chargit  Fincormak  to  send  Octavius,  the 
invasour  of  Romane  province,  bound  to  him,  to  be  punist  for  his 
rebellion;  uthirwayis  he  suld  be  repute  ennime  to  the  senat  and 
pepil  of  Rome.  It  wes  answerit  be  Fincormak,  that  he  resset  nocht 
Octavius  to  be  injurious  to  Romanis;  bot  allanerlie,  for  the  auld 
amite  betwix  Scottis  and  Britonis.  Attoure,  it  micht  obscure  his 
honour  and  majeste  to  condiscend  to  sa  manifest  prodition,  and  ran- 


THE  SEXT  BUKE.  221 

dir  the  man  to  his  ennimes  that  socht  refuge  at  him.  Forthir,  gif 
Traherus  invadit  him  onehe  for  that  cause,  he  suld  resist  the  best 
way  he  micht ;  bot  yit  gud  wer,  afore  he  movit  weir,  to  degeistely 
avise,  quhiddir  Homanis  hes  gottin  mair  schame  or  honour,  mair 
profFet  or  skaith,  in  thair  weris  aganis  Scottis  in  al  times  bygane. 

Traherus,  na  thing  satifyit  be  this  answer,  come  with  al  his  or- 
dinance to  York ;  quhair  he  wes  advertist  that  Fincormak  wes 
gaderit,  with  lx.m  Scottis,  Pichtis,  and  Britonis,  in  support  of  Oc- 
tavius :  nochtheles,  he  went  forwart,  quhill  he  come  in  sicht  of  en- 
nimes. Fincormak,  quhen  baith  the  armyis  wer  arrayit  in  otheris 
sicht,  send  ane  herald,  inquiring  Traherus,  quhat  movit  him,  but 
occasioun  of  injuris,  to  invaid  the  confiderat  pepil,  as  thay  wer  en- 
nimes to  Romanis.  Traherus  maid  litill  answer  thairto,  bot  com- 
mandit  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  to  pas  haistely  out  of  all  landis  per- 
tenand  to  Romanis,  and  to  pay  ane  yeirly  tribute  to  thair  procura- 
tour,  as  the  senat  and  pepill  of  Rome  thocht  expedient;  and,  but 
ony  more  tary,  deliver  Octavius,  to  be  punist  for  his  conspiration  : 
othirwayis,  thay  suld  have  sone  experience,  quhat  foly  is  to  con- 
tempne  the  empire  of  Romanis. 

Fincormak,  havand  thir  chargis  at  diffiance,  come  forthwart  with 
his  army.  Followit  sone,  ane  dangerus  battall.  Alwayis  the  Ro- 
manis had  bene  victorius,  wer  nocht  ane  multitude  of  landwart  men 
hapnit  to  come  rinnand  doun  ane  hil,  drivand  away  thair  bestial 
fra  dangeir  of  ennimes ;  and  apperit  to  the  Romanis  as  thay  wer 
cumin  on  thair  bakkis :  and  so  the  Romanis  wer  finalie  discomfist. 
In  this  battal  wer  slane  xv.m  Albianis,  and  xvi.m  Romanis.  The 
chace  continewit  be  Fincormak  and  Octavius  on  the  Romanis, 
quhill  thay  come  to  York  ;  quhair  the  two  kingis  wer  plesandly  res- 
savit  be  the  nobillis  of  Britane,  and  Octavius  restorit  to  the  crown 
thairof. 

The  nobillis  of  Britane  gaif  to  Fincormak,  for  his  assistance  to 
Octavius  in  the  said  feild,  all  the  landis  of  Westmureland  and  Cum- 
ber, with  clame  and  kindnes  thairof  perpetually,  and  sweir  nevir  to 
cum  in  the  contrar  thairof. 

Traherus,  knawing  na  place  sicker  to  remane  in  Britane  eftir  this 
victory,  fled  in  France. 


222  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


Hoxo  Ocfavius  was  putjra  the  crown  of  Britane  be  Traherus,  Ro- 
mane  Cap'itane.  How  the  said  Traherus  was  slane,  and  Octa- 
vius  restorit  to  the  croun ;  and  of  Fincormdk'is  deith, 

Hk  Romanis  vincust  on  this  wise,  ane  counsal  wes  set 
at  York,  in  the  quhilk  the  nobillis  of  Britane  concludit 
to  defend  thair  reahne  and  hbertie  fra  injure  of  Ro- 
manis, and  to  suffir  na  uncouth  blude  to  beir  auctorite, 
in  times  cuming,  above  thaim.  Attoure,  it  wes  concludit  to  extend 
the  marchis  of  Britane  to  the  wal  of  Adriane ;  and  to  expell  the 
Scottis  out  of  Westmureland  and  Cumber,  nochtwithstanding  the 
aith  and  promise  maid  to  thaim  afore. 

Quhil  sic  thingis  wer  done  in  Britane,  Octavius  come,  with  x.m 
Britonis,  on  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  dweUing  in  Westmurland ;  bot 
at  last  he  wes  discomfist,  and  his  army  put  to  flicht. 

In  the  mene  time,  Traherus,  Capitane  of  Britane,  quhilk  wes 
chasit,  as  we  schew  afore,  in  France ;  returnit,  with  two  Romane  le- 
gionis  and  xx.m  wageouris,  in  Britane :  be  quhome  Octavius  wes 
discomfist,  and  destitute  of  all  support  and  freindis.  Finalie,  this 
Octavius,  havand  na  confidence  in  the  Scottis  nor  Pichtis,  for  vio- 
latioun  of  his  faith ;  come  to  the  mouth  of  Humber,  quhair  he  puUit 
up  salis,  and  went  in  Nori'oway. 

Traherus,  eftir  this  victory,  ilk  day  incressit  in  sic  pissance,  that 
the  Britonis  wer  randerit  to  him :  nottheles,  he  exercit  gret  cruel- 
tes  on  al  the  nobillis  and  commonis  of  Britan  ;  and  finalie,  restorit 
the  crown  thairof  to  Romane  empire.  And  quhen  he  had  stablit 
the  realme  in  this  maner;  throw  corruppit  insolence  efter  sahie  feli- 
cite,  he  become  the  maist  vicious  tyrane  that  evir  had  ony  charge 
afore  in  Britane ;  and  invadit  the  nobillis  and  commonis  thairof  with 
ithand  heirschippis  and  slauchter.  Throw  thir  tyrannis,  followit  sic 
rebellioun  aganis  him  in  al  partis,  that  he  wes  finalie  slane. 


THE  SEXT  BUKE.  223 

Octavius,  heirand  the  slauchter  of  Traherus,  returnit  fra  Den- 
mark in  Britane ;  and  persewit  the  Romanis  with  sic  cruelte,  that 
na  kirkis  nor  sanctuaryis  micht  be  refuge  to  thaim :  and  maid  distri- 
butioun  of  his  officis  and  auctoriteis  to  his  freindis  and  nobiUis,  as 
he  thocht  maist  expedient  to  keip  his  subdittis  in  justice,  and  to 
defend  thaim  fra  injure  of  Romanis.  And  thoucht  seindil  ar  found 
men  but  insolence,  quhen  thay  find  feUcite  efter  trubill ;  yit  Octa- 
vius was  alterit  in  sic  maner,  that  quhare  he  was  sumtime  maist  fals 
and  treasonabill  in  his  werkis,  he  become  maist  faithfull  and  nobill 
prince.  And  sone  efter,  he  send  ambassatouris  to  King  Fincormak, 
with  sindry  jowellis,  desiring  him  to  have  na  respect  to  the  offence 
maid  be  him  aganis  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis  in  times  bygane,  bot  to 
leif  in  amite  and  freindschip  with  him  and  Britonis  in  times  cuming : 
and  to  haif  liis  sicker  kindnes,  he  was  content  that  Westmureland 
and  Cumber  war  perpetually  annixit  to  the  empire  of  Scottis  and 
Pichtis,  on  the  samin  maner  as  Carance  gave  thaim  afore  to  King 
CraithUnt.  Mony  yeris  efter,  Octavius  governit  Britane  in  gud  jus- 
tice. Quhill  at  last  he  was  sa  brokin  with  frequent  weris,  that  he 
randerit  all  the  strenthis  of  his  realme,  to  have  peace  with  Romanis 
in  his  eld ;  and  was  content  to  pay  the  auld  tribute. 

Folio  wit  sicker  peace  mony  yeris  efter,  amang  the  Scottis,  Pichtis, 
and  Britonis  in  Albioun :  in  quhilk  time,  Fincormak,  richt  illuster 
in  glore  of  chevelry  and  civill  materis,  be  lang  infirmite  generit  of 
catare,  deceissit,  the  xlvii  yeir  of  his  regne ;  fra  the  incarnatioun, 
cccLviii  yeris. 


224  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


HoTdi)  the  heresyis  of  Arrius  wes  condavipnit.  How  Ireland  tuJce'the 
faith  of  Crist.  How  RoviaTc,  Fethelmalc,  and  Angusiane  contendit 
for  the  crowne.  Hoxio  Romaic  zoas  maid  King ;  and  slane  efter, 
for  his  tyranny. 


Uring  this  time,  the  Cristin  faith  apperit  to  rise  in 

eret  dignite  :  nochtheles,  the  cursit  heretik  Arrius  be- 
et o  ^ 

gan  to  poison  it  with  vennimus  doctrine ;  saying,  Crist 
was  nocht  the  verray  Sonne  of  God,  coequall  and  co- 
eternall  to  the  Fader,  bot  different  fra  him  in  substance.  Efter 
degeist  consultatioun,  all  his  opinionis  war  condampnit  in  Counsall 
of  Nicia,  with  mony  othir  vane  errouris,  quhilkis  I  wil  not  rehers 
at  this  time :  for  I  have  maid  this  translation  mair  for  pleseir  of 
lawit  men,  than  ony  vane  curius  clerkis,  be  quhom  all  heresyis  be- 
ffinnis. 

Ireland,  about  this  time,  tuke  the  faith  of  Crist,  be  ane  woman  of 
the  Pichtis  blude,  quhilk  instruckit  the  Quene  of  Ireland  in  the 
faith ;  and  scho  instruckit  hir  prince,  the  king :  and  sa  within  schort 
time,  all  the  regioun  thairof  tuke  the  faith.  Mony  othir  pepill.  in 
the  eist  and  west  partis  of  the  Avarld,  tuke  the  faith  in  the  samin 
maner.     Bot  w-e  Avill  returne  to  our  history. 

Fincormak  left  behind  him  two  sonnis,  Eugenius,  of  xviii  yeris 
of  age,  and  Ethodius,  nocht  ane  yeir  of  age.  Thir  sonnis  of  Fin 
cormak,  for  the  lawis  afore  rehersit,  micht  nocht  immediatly  suc- 
cede  to  the  crown;  and  thairfore  ane  counsall  was  set  in  Argyle,  to 
cheis  the  king :  quhilk  day,  comperit  Romak,  Fethehnak,  and  An- 
gusiane, contending  for  the  crown  ;  for  thay  war  nepottis  to  Craith- 
lint,  gottin  on  sindry  his  brethir ;  al  thre  nere  equal  in  yeris,  freindis, 
and  gudis.  Romak  clamit  the  crown  as  maist  nobil ;  for  he  was 
not  only  cumin  of  the  blude  rial  of  Scottis,  bot  als  of  Pichtis,  and 
had  thairfore  mony  of  the  nobillis  assisting  to  his  opinion.  Angu- 
siane clamit  the  crown  with  consent  of  Fethehnak,  and  alledgit  he 


THE  SEXT  BUKE.  225 

wes  ane  man  of  more  reason,  experience,  and  wisdome,  than  wes 
Romak;  and  wes  abillar,  thairfore,  for  the  ministration  of  the 
realme. 

In  the  mene  time,  Romak  gaderit  ane  band  of  armit  men,  to  sla 
his  two  cousingis,  traisting  the  more  esahe  to  succeid  to  the  crown. 
Thus  rais  na  thing  bot  ire  and  hatrent  araang  the  thre  cosingis ; 
every  ane  of  thaim  cruellie  set  in  otheris  slauchter,  and  lauboring 
to  draw  moniast  of  the  nobiUis  to  thair  opinioun.  Alwayis  the  maist 
nowmer  of  nobiUis  assentit  to  Angusiane :  for  Romak  wes  ane  man 
of  mair  ferocite  than  wisdome ;  be  contrar,  Angusiane  wes  more 
reasonable,  havand  nocht  sa  mony  subtel  and  fals  shchtis  as  Romak 
had.  The  nobilhs,  seing  thaim  abil  na  wayis  to  be  brocht  to  concord, 
tuke  final  purpos  to  devide  the  realme  betwix  thaim.  Yit  otheris, 
more  prudent  men,  thocht  the  samin  unproffitable;  for  it  micht  rais 
perpetual  sedit-ioun,  in  dammage  of  thair  commoun  weill, 

Finalie,  Romak,  impacient  of  lang  tary,  be  birnand  desire  to  have 
the  crown,  gaderit  ane  army  of  Pichtis ;  and  come  ^rith  arrayit  bat- 
taU  aganis  Angusiane,  and  his  othir  cosing,  Fethelmak.  Than  An- 
gusiane send  his  oratouris  to  the  King  of  Pichtis,  praying  him  to 
foster  na  seditioun  amang  the  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  and  to  solist  his 
cosmg  Romak  erar  to  concord  than  battall,  sen  he  micht  have  all 
thing  according  to  reason,  but  ony  plee.  The  King  of  Pichtis, 
thinkand  thir  desiris  reasonabil,  tuk  purpos  to  returne  hame  • 
nochttheles,  be  evill  counsall  of  freindis,  he  abaid,  and  gaif  unple- 
sand  answere.  This  unplesand  answer  wes  nocht  onlie  occasioun  to 
the  nobiUis  of  Scotland  to  assist  to  Angusiane  aganis  Romak,  bot 
als  to  have  the  Pichtis  at  extreme  hatrent.  Sone  eftir,  Angusiane, 
advertist  that  Romak  lay  in  wait  of  his  slauchter,  gaderit  ane  army' 
with  purpos  erar  to  end  the  mater  be  swerd,  than  ay  to  leif  in  dan' 
geir  of  his  life.  Romak,  impacient  of  lang  tary,  met  him  on  the 
same  maner.  FoUowit  ane  sorowfull  battall.  Nochtheles,  Angu- 
siane wes  discomfist,  and  baith  himself  and  his  cosing  Fethelmak 
chasit  in  the  His;  and  finding  na  securite  thair,  thay  fled  in  Ire 
land.  -^ 

Angusiane  doung  out  of  Albioun  in  this  sort,  mony  of  the  no- 
billis  assistit  to  Romak ;  and  declarit  him  king.    Yit,  as  the  custom 

VOL.   I.  O  ^ 


S26  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

of  tyrannis  is,  he  conquest  the  realme  wekitUe,  and  governit  it  on 
the  same  maner ;  and  had  nane  familiar  with  him,  bot  sa  mony  as 
wer  ennimes  to  Fincormak  and  liis  sonnis.  Sic  thingis  done,  he 
maid  him  to  vesy  all  boundis  of  his  realme,  doing  justice  in  his  ma- 
ner. This  tyranny  of  Romak  beand  divulgat  throw  the  cuntre, 
causit  Eugenius  and  Ethodius,  the  sonnis  of  Fincormak,  to  fle  in 
Westmureland ;  and  thair  finding  na  securite,  thay  fled  to  the  He 
of  Man.  Than  foUowit  gret  truble  in  Scotland ;  as  proscriptioun, 
slauchter,  and  oppressioun  on  all  the  nobillis  that  favorit  Angusi- 
ane,  but  ony  difference  of  age. 

The  nobillis,  impacient  to  suffer  sic  cruell  tyrannyis,  convenit  to- 
gidder,  be  secret  writingis,  to  redi-es  al  oppressionis  and  wrangis 
done  be  him ;  syne  gaderit  ane  army  with  sic  diligence,  that  this 
tyrane  Romak  knew  nocht  of  thair  assemblance,  quhill  thay  Aver 
cuming  on  him  in  ane  arrayit  battall,  within  x  milis. 

Romak,  astonist  be  thair  cumming,  fled  in  Pentland  :  nochtthe- 
les,  he  was  sa  ferslie  invadit  be  ane  buschement  of  Scottis  that  fol- 
lowit  on  him,  that  he  was  slane,  with  sindry  otheris  Scottis  of  his 
opinion,  the  thrid  yeir  of  his  regne ;  his  heid  borne  on  ane  staik 
throw  al  the  army. 

Monv  gentillmen  of  Pichtis  war  slane  at  this  time  with  Romak, 
sic  as  favorit  his  governance,  and  causit  him  to  rage  with  gret  cru- 
elte  on  the  Scottis. 


I^^sg 

E  1 

THE  SEXT  BUKE.  227 


CJia^»  Cljuteentlj. 

^ozy  Angusiane  was  maid  King  of  Scottis.  How  Maxinncs  suh- 
deixH  the  Britonis  be  sindry  vktory'is.  How  Scottis  and  Pichtis 
invadit  otliir  with  set  battall.  How  baith  thair  Kingis  zvar  siane, 
and  the  Scottis  discovifist. 

Omak,  the  tyrane,  slane  in  this  maner.  Angusiane  re- 
turnit  in  Albion,  and  was  maid  king.  Quhill  sic  thingis 
war  done  in  Scotland,  the  Britonis  grew  insolent  be 
slauchter  of  Traherus,  Romane  capitane,  and  restorit 
the  crowne  of  Britane  to  Octavius,  quhilk  was  than  far  run  in  aige : 
throw  quhilk  thay  recoverit  baith  thair  munitionis,  landis,  and  li- 
berteis. 

Constantius,  Emprioure,  and  sonne  to  the  gret  Constantine,  send 
ane  vailyeant  knicht,  namit  Maximus,  in  Britane,  to  dant  the  Bri- 
tonis. This  Maximus,  sone  efter  his  cuming,  faucht  aganis  the 
Britonis,  and  put  thaim  to  flicht.  Be  this  victory  he  was  put  in  es- 
perance  to  subdew  the  Britonis,  as  thay  war  afore,  to  servitude. 

Octavius,  King  of  Britonis,  heirand  thir  tithlngis,  take  sic  malan- 
coly,  that  he  deceissit,  the  thrid  day  efter ;  and  efter  his  deith,  Oc- 
tavius, his  Sonne,  fled  in  the  He  of  Man :  quhare  he  remanit  with 
Ethodius  and  Eugenius,  unknawin  quhat  he  was.  The  Britonis, 
nocht  mekill  astonist  be  this  discomfitoure,  gaderit  ane  new  army, 
with  mair  pissance  than  afore :  nochttheles,  thay  war  vincust,  and 
chasit  on  the  same  maner.  Maximus,  efter  thir  victoryis,  past  throw 
sindry  boundis  of  Britane,  and  gat  mony  of  the  pepill  randerit  to 
his  opinioun :  otheris,  quhilkis  war  repugnant,  war  put  to  wraik, 
and  thair  strenthis  cassin  down. 

Quhill  sic  thingis  was  done  in  Britane,  rais  gret  trubil  in  Scot- 
land :  for  Nectanus,  King  of  Pichtis,  to  revenge  the  slauchter  of  his 
cosing  Romak,  wastit  the  landis  of  Scotland  be  sindry  incursionis. 
The  Scottis,  to  resist  this  violent  dereptionis,  war  constraint  to  rise 
in  battall  aganis  the  Pichtis.    Nochtheles,  the  Pichtis  drew  ane  gret 


228  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

nowmer  of  Scottis,  quhilkis  war  movit  for  slauchter  of  Romak,  to 
thair  opinioun,  and  provokit  the  residew  of  Scottis,  ilk  day,  to  bat- 
tal.  Nochtheles,  Angusiane  send  his  ambassatoui'is  to  thaim,  schaw- 
ing  him  desirus  of  peace,  and  gevin  to  the  weill  of  baith  the  realmes ; 
and  desirit  thaim  to  devoid  all  injuris,  and  concur  togidder  in  amite, 
as  thair  faderis  did  afore,  for  defence  of  thair  realmis.  At  last, 
quhen  Angusiane  saw  his  desiris  repellit,  that  his  sleuth  suld  nocht 
be  occasioun  of  insolence  to  his  ennimes,  he  gaderit  his  folkis,  and 
went  furthwart  in  gud  array.  Efter  mony  singulare  battallis  of 
vailyeant  men,  baith  the  armyis  junit,  and  faucht  with  gret  ire  and 
hatrent  on  athir  side.  At  last,  the  Pichtis  war  discomfist,  and  mony 
of  all  thair  nobillis  slane.  King  Nectanus  was  chasit,  quhill  he 
come  to  Camelon ;  and  sone  efter  his  cumming  thairto,  he  convenit 
the  residew  of  his  nobillis  to  ane  counsall,  and  complanit,  be  lang 
orison,  baith  the  slauchter  of  his  cusing  Romak,  and  the  noblis  of 
his  realme  that  war  slane  with  him ;  and  desirit  ane  new  army,  to 
revenge  the  schameful  injuris  done  laitly  be  Scottis.  The  Pichtis, 
mair  set  for  the  kingis  foly  and  plesour,  than  for  thair  common 
Weill,  concludit  ane  new  army  to  be  rasit  aganis  the  Scottis,  out  of 
all  boundis  under  thair  empire ;  and  sone  efter,  thay  come  with  the 
said  army  to  the  wod  of  Calidon. 

Angusiane,  richt  provident  in  all  his  doingis,  and  knawing  the 
Pichtis  sa  awfully  gaderit  aganis  him,  assemblit  his  folkis  out  of  all 
boundis  of  his  realme,  erar  to  draw  the  Pichtis  to  concord,  than  to 
have  battall  with  thaim ;  for  he  dred  the  Britonis,  be  perswasion  of 
Romanis,  to  cum  in  support  of  Pichtis.  And  for  that  caus  he  send 
his  plesand  letteris  to  the  King  of  Pichtis,  praying  him  to  remem- 
ber the  anciant  amite  and  kindnes  sa  lang  continewing  betwix  the 
two  pepill;  and  to  put  end  to  thair  weris,  and  to  geif  peace  to  Scottis, 
but  ony  battal,  on  that  samin  maner  as  he  war  victorius  above  thaim, 
sen  peace  was  necessar  to  baith  thair  ariTlyis ;  for  Maximus,  *Ro- 
mane  Capitane,  was  wirkand,  ilk  day,  new  attemptatis  in  Britane, 
and  purposit,  als  sone^as  he  hes  subdewit  Britane,  to  conques  baith 
the  realmes  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  efter  that  thay  have  distroyit 
othir  with  civill  weris. 

The  King  of  Pichtis,  contempning  this  profitabil  counsal,  and 
havand  na  thing  in  les  estimalioun  than  peace,  rasit  his  army  aganis 


THE  SEXT  BUKE. 

Angusiane.  On  the  tothir  side,  Angusiane  arrayit  his  army :  and 
becaus  it  was  necessar  othir  to  jeoparde  him  to  the  chance  of  for- 
toun,  or  ellis  to  geif  backis  to  his  ennimes,  with  irrecoverable  schame; 
he  exhortit  his  men  to  have  curage,  and  set  asid  al  dredour,  gif 
thay  had  ony ;  remembring  the  gret  spreit  and  manheid  of  thair 
eldaris,  that  thay  may  acquite  thair  deith ;  and  thocht  thay  faucht 
vnth.  unfortunat  chance  of  battal,  that  thay  de  nocht  unrevengit  of 
thair  ennimes.  Attoure,  he  prayit  thaim  to  be  nocht  movit,  thoucht 
thay  be  now  to  fecht  aganis  the  pepill  that  was  sa  lang  confiderat 
with  thaim  in  amite  and  blude ;  sen  thay  gave  na  occasioun  of  bat- 
tiJ,  and  hes  left  na  thing  undone,  that  micht  have  recounsalit  thaim 
to  concord :  for  quliilk  thay  suld  beleve,  that  God,  the  lufFer  of 
peace,  suld  favour  thaim  in  thair  just  defence.  On  the  tothir  side, 
the  King  of  Pichtis  ceissit  nocht  to  solist  his  army  to  battal.  Incon- 
tinent, the  archearis  schot  on  all  sidis ;  and  efter  thaim  followit  men 
with  licht  harnes,  and  schot  incredibill  nowmer  of  stanis  and  ganyeis, 
with  corsbowis  and  slongis :  incontinent,  thay  junit  with  speris,  axis, 
and  svverdis.  Followit  ane  terribill  battall,  fouchtin  lang  time  ^vith 
doutsum  victory.  At  last,  Angusiane,  seand  the  victory  inchne 
to  Pichtis,  raif  of  his  coit  armoure,  and  come  amang  the  commonis, 
quhare  he  faucht  with  perseverant  hatrent  to  the  deith.  The 
Scottis,  traisting  thair  king  erar  fled  than  slane,  gaif  bakkis ;  otheris, 
perseverant  with  mair  obstinat  mind,  faucht  quhill  thay  war  slane : 
and  thocht  the  victory  succedit  to  the  Pichtis,  yit  it  was  unplesand 
to  thaim ;  for  baith  the  kingis  war  slane  in  this  feild,  with  infinite 
nowmer  of  nobillis  and  commonis  slane  on  ilk  side. 

The  residew  of  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  quhilkis  war  eschapit  out  of 
this  feild,  returnit  hame,  and  wary  it  thaim  that  was  the  first  occa- 
sioun and  motive  of  battall  betwix  the  two  pepill  sa  lang  afore  con- 
fident togidder  in  blude,  amite,  and  freindschip. 


230  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


How  Fethelmafi  was  maid  King  of  Scottis ;  and  how  he  slew  Nee- 
tane.  King  qfPichtis ;  and  was  slane  efter  he  ihair  treason.  And 
ofmony  nohil  Clerkis. 

Ngusiane  slane  in  this  maner,  Fethelmak,  the  third 
nepot  of  Craithlint,  was  maid  king.  He  gaderit  the 
residew  of  Scottis  togidder,  with  htill  better  fortoun 
than  his  two  cosingis  did  afore :  and  in  the  seciind  yeir 
of  his  regne,  he  rasit  his  army  to  revenge  the  injuris  done  be  Pichtis ; 
and  come  in  Angus,  invading  the  inhabitantis  thairof  with  gret 
heirschippis  and  cruelteis.  The  Pichtis,  rageand  in  hatrent  for  thir 
extorsionis,  ruschit  in  thair  maist  fury  to  harnes ;  and  the  Scottis, 
nocht  abasit  thairof,  met  thaim  in  the  samin  maner,  and  put  baith 
thair  wingis  to  flicht ;  sone  efter,  discomfist  the  naiddillward  in  the 
samin  maner,  with  gret  murdir  maid  on  thaim  in  al  partis.  Necta- 
nus,  King  of  Pichtis,  brothir  to  King  Nectanus  afore  rehersit,  was 
brocht  out  of  the  feild ;  and  deceissit,  the  thrid  day  efter,  be  wound 
of  ane  arrow. 

The  Scottis,  insolent  efter  this  victory,  waistit  Angus  and  FifTe 
with  ithand  incursionis.  The  Pichtis,  brokin  be  this  last  discom- 
fitoure,  set  thaim  erar  to  stop  the  Scottis  fra  taking  of  thair  muni- 
tionis  and  strenthis  be  Hcht  berganis,  than  ony  set  battal :  and  to  do 
al  thingis  with  mair  prudence,  thay  chesit  Hergestus,  ane  man  of 
sle  and  fals  ingine,  to  be  thair  king.  This  Hergestus,  knawing  his 
pepill  sa  brokin  wath  continewal  weris  that  he  micht  nocht  revenge 
the  injuris  of  Scottis,  kest  him  to  do  the  thing  be  slicht,  that  he 
micht  nocht  do  be  force ;  and  conducit  two  men  of  Pichtis  to  dis- 
simil  and  fenye  thaim  Scottis,  that  thay  micht  mair  esaly  wait  ane 
ganand  time  to  sla  the  Kinge  of  Scottis.  Thir  Pichtis  war  crafty 
in  casting  of  dartis ;  and  becaus  the  King  of  Scottis  tuke  delecta- 
tioun  in  that  game,  thay  war  maid  the  mair  familiar  to  him :  noch- 
theles,  thay  socht  ay  ane  ganand  time  and  place  for  his  slauchter. 


THE  SEXT  BUKE.  231 

King  Fethelmak  hapnit  to  pas  to  Carrik,  quhare  he  was  in  gret 
sollicitude  all  that  day.  At  evinhe  went  to  his  bed,  and  commandit 
ane  harpar  to  sing  ane  soft  sang,  to  draw  him  out  of  hevy  materis 
on  sleip.  Als  sone  as  he  Avas  fallin  on  sleip,  the  two  Pichtis  afore 
rehersit  was  convoyit  be  the  harpar  quhare  he  lay,  and  slew  him 
sleipand  in  his  bed,  the  thrid  yeir  of  his  regne.  The  wache  herand 
the  granis  of  ane  deand  man,  enterit  haistely  in  the  chalmer  quhare 
the  king  Avas  Hand  bullerand  in  his  blude  :  incontinent,  thay  followit 
on  his  slayaris  sa  scharply,  that  thay  Avar  all  tane ;  and  quhen  thay 
had  confessit  all  the  maner  and  circumstance  of  this  treasonabill 
slauchter,  thay  AA^ar  all  punist  maist  cruelly  to  the  deith,  and  draAAdn 
sindry  Avith  Asold  hors.  This  slauchter  of  Fethelmak  hapnit  in  the 
fift  yeu'  of  Constantius,  Emprioure. 

About  this  time,  war  mony  clerkis  profound  in  every  science: 
as,  Victorine,  oratoure;  Donatus,  gramariour,  and  preceptour  to 
Sanct  Jerome ;  Alcinus  and  Delphidinis,  philosophouris ;  Avith  mony 
otheris,  quhilkis  war  ouir  prolixit  to  rehers. 


Cfjap*  jfifteentB. 

How  Sanct  Reule  hrocht  Sanct  Atidrotcis  arme  in  Scotland;  and 
how  the  Jfirl-  of  Sanct  Androwis  was  dotat  be  Hergest,  King  of 
Pichtis  ;  and  of  the  loving  thairof. 

^  Anct  Rkule,  the  haly  abbot,  arrivit  about  this  time 
in  Albion,  A\ith  Sanct  AndroAA'is  arme.  This  Reule 
was  ane  monk  of  Grece,  borne  in  Achaia,  and  abbot  in 
the  town  of  Patras,  quhare  mony  religious  men  Avar 
obeisant  under  his  cure.  He  was  ane  of  thaim  that  Avas  send  be 
Constantius,  Empriour,  to  vesy  the  bhssit  reliquies  of  Sanct  Andre. 
And  quhen  the  said  Reule  had  done  his  de\'otioun  with  maist  reve- 
rence, he  was  commandit,  be  ane  hevinly  visioun,  to  take  the  arme 
of  Sanct  Andro,  Avith  in  fingaris,  and  in  tayis  of  his  fut ;  and  to 
pas  with  the  samin  in  the  far  nuke  of  the  warld,  namit  Albion. 
Reule,  monist  be  this  visioun,  come,  with  the  said  rehquies,  throw 
the  seis  Mediterrane  to  Portingale ;  and  Avith  huge  pine  and  trubil. 


: 

5K^3«i 

1      ^ 

M 

Q 

M 

II 

! 

iisss. 

232  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

he  come  throw  the  Spanye,  Franche,  and  Almane  seis,  and  arrivit 
in  the  town  quhilk  is  now  callit  Sanct  Androwis  :  quhare  thay  war 
schipbrokin,  and  na  thing  savit  except  ane  few  nowmer  of  haly 
men,  quhilkis  come  with  the  said  rehquies.  Thir  tithingis  divulgat 
in  the  cuntre,  causit  the  King  of  Pichtis  and  his  pepill  to  cum  with 
riche  ofFerandis  out  of  all  partis,  to  adore  the  reliquies  of  the  haly 
appostill,  Sanct  Andro.  The  King  of  Pichtis  with  his  pepil  war 
ressavit  be  Sanct  Reule  and  his  fallowis,  in  thair  religious  habitis, 
with  sangis  and  ympnis,  and  othir  divine  cerimonyis,  as  afferit. 
Than  Hergestus  fell  on  kneis,  and  with  maist  reverence  kist  thir 
blissit  reliquies,  and  gaif  his  palice  riall,  richely  biggit  efter  the  use 
of  thay  dayis,  to  Sanct  Andro,  Sanct  Reule,  and  otheris  his  fallowis  ; 
and  biggit  ane  kirk,  nocht  far  fra  the  said  palice,  dedicat  in  the  ho- 
nour of  Sanct  Andro.  Men  sayis,  it  is  the  samin  kirk  that  standis 
yit  in  the  common  kirk  yard  of  the  abbay,  and  was  callit,  in  auld 
times,  the  kirk  of  Sanct  Reule ;  bot  it  is  now  calht  the  avild  kirk  of 
Sanct  Andro.  Hergest  dotat  this  kirk  with  cowpis,  challicis,  ba- 
singis,  lawaris,  and  sindry  othir  riche  jowellis  of  gold  and  silver,  to 
remane  thair  perpetually  in  the  honour  of  devine  service.  The  pos- 
terite  of  King  Hergestus  succeding  efter  him,  and  the  Scottis,  quhen 
the  Pichtis  was  exilit  of  this  realme,  lies  had  Sanct  Andro  in  maist 
reverence,  as  patroun  of  thair  realme. 

The  abbay  kirk  was  dotat  efter  be  King  Malcolne  the  madin,  and 
King  Robert  Brus,  with  rentis,  landis,  and  possessionis,  mair  large- 
ly. This  abbay  was  in  governance  of  ane  nobil  man,  Johne  Heb- 
burne,  priour  thairof,  in  the  time  of  the  first  compiling  of  thir  cro- 
niklis.  This  priour  was  ane  wise  prelat,  and  decorit  this  kirk  in 
with  mony  riche  ornamentis.  He  biggit  ane  wall  of  square  stanis 
about  the  kirk.  This  wall  includis  the  kirk  of  Sanct  Leonard, 
quhare  the  novicis  of  the  said  abbay,  and  uthir  scolaris,  lernis  thair 
grammer,  logik,  theology,  with  mony  othir  science  of  naturall  and 
morall  philosophy ;  and  lies  sic  continewal  exercition,  that  mony  re- 
solute and  profound  clerkis  risis  daily  in  gret  virtew  throw  the  samin. 
In  this  kirk,  war  first  preistis  calht  Culdeyis ;  bot  now  in  it,  ar  Chan- 
nonis  Regular  efter  the  institutionis  of  Sanct  Augustine,  gevand  thair 
ingine  in  continewall  exercitioun  of  letteris,  and  professioun  of  thair 
religioun.  Heirfore,  gif  thow  wil  have  respect  to  letteral  exercition, 
thow  sail  find  thair  general!  study  in  every  science :  gif  thow  will 


THE  SEXT  BUKE.  238 

be  contemplative,  thow  sal  find  thair  maist  honorabill  service  of  God, 
with  hevinly  and  delitious  sang  in  maist  crafty  music  :  gif  thovr 
wU  have  sicht  to  magnificence  and  curious  biggin,  thow  sal  find  nane 
of  mair  honestee  nor  admiration  in  Ital}'-,  France,  or  Almany,  big- 
git  curiously  be  this  nobill  man  :  quhilk  deceissit  the  yeir  afore  the 
cuming  of  thir  croniklis  to  licht,  to  na  les  dammage  of  commoun 
Weill,  than  spreding  of  letteris  in  this  realme.  Amang  mony  othir 
his  honorabill  werkis,  it  is  gretumly  to  be  lovit,  that  afore  his  deith 
he  maid  hisnepot  Patrik,  ane  man  of  singular  virtew  and  eruditioun, 
his  successoure,  to  compleit  the  magnificent  werkis  that  he  afore 
began.  The  yeir  that  Sanct  Reule  come  with  the  reUquies  of  Sanct 
Andro  in  Scotland,  was  fra  the  incarnatioun  ccclxix. 


How  Eugenius  was  maid  King  of  Scottis.  How  Hergest,  King  of 
Pichtis,  was  confderat  with  Romanls  for  distruction  of  Scottis. 
How  Maximus,  Capitane  of  Britane,  invadit  the  Scottis  withgret 
cruelteis  and  slauchter. 


Ethelmak,  slane  in  maner  afore  rehersit,  the  nobillis 
brocht  Eugenius  and  Ethodius,  the  sonnis  of  Fincor- 
mak,  out  of  the  lie  of  Man,  quhare  thay  abaid,  eschewin 

the  fury  of  Romak,  Angusiane,  and  Fethelmak :  and 

the  eldest  of  thaim,  namit  Eugenius,  the  first  of  that  name,  was  maid 
king.  Maximus,  capitane  of  Britane,  knavving  the  hatrent  betwix 
the  Scottis  and  Pichtis,  na  les  desirus  to  distroy  thaim  baith  than 
to  agment  the  glore  of  Romane  empire ;  devisit  sic  ane  subtill  slicht, 
that  he  micht  first  distroy  the  Scottis,  and  syne  the  Pichtis.  And 
to  wirk  this  mater  with  mair  crafty  slichtis,  he  send  ambassatouris 
to  Hergest,  King  of  Pichtis,  schawing  him  richt  sorrowfull  for  the 
injuris  done  to  him  be  Scottis ;  and  desirit,  thairfor,  to  be  confiderat 
with  the  said  King  of  Pichtis  aganis  the  Scottis :  quharethrow  it 
micht  happin,  that  his  pepil  micht  rise  in  sic  pissance,  be  support 
of  Romanis  and  Britonis,  that  thay  micht  othir  thirll  the  Scottis  to 

VOL.  I.  2  G 


234  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 

maist  vile  servitude,  or  ellls  expell  thaim,  gif  thay  plesit,  out  of  Al- 
bioun,  and  conques  thair  landis  and  roAvmes  to  tliaim  and  tliair  pos- 
terite.  King  Hergest  plesandly  ressavit  thir  ambassatouris,  and 
gave  thankis  to  God,  that  send  to  him  support,  in  sa  extreme  dan- 
geir,  aganis  his  cruell  ennimes  :  and  said,  It  plesit  him  weill  to  be 
confiderat  vnth  the  Romanis,  sa  thay  wald  concurre  with  Imn  and 
his  pepill  to  revenge  the  injuris  done  be  the  Scottis.  Maximus  con- 
discendit  to  thair  desiris,  traisting  the  samiu  to  cum  to  hie  felicite 
of  Romane  empire. 

Nocht  lang  efter,  it  was  concludit,  be  convention  of  Hergestus 
and  Maximus  at  York,  that  Pichtis,  Britonis,  and  Romanis,  sal  be 
confiderat  togidder  in  tendir  amite,  and  the  Scottis  to  be  haldin  as 
ennimes  to  thaim  all.  Efter  this  conventioun,  Maximus  send  ane 
herald  to  Eugenius,  King  of  Scottis,  chargcand  him  to  I'cdres  all 
skaithis  done  to  Pichtis,  and  deliver  the  misdoaris  to  King  Hergest, 
to  be  punist  at  his  plesour ;  uthirwayis,  he  and  his  pepill  suld  be  reput 
as  ennimes  to  the  senat  and  pepill  of  Rome.  Eugenius  answerit. 
He  nevir  offendit  the  Romanis  nor  Britonis  be  injuris ;  and  thair- 
fore,  he  belevit  the  Romanis  wald  nocht  be  sa  wrangus,  as  to  invade 
him  with  battall  but  reasonabill  motive  or  occasioun.  Forthir,  he 
understude  the  Romanis  has  nocht  gottin  sic  humanite  and  kindnes 
of  Pichtis,  to  move  ony  weir  aganis  'the  Scottis  than  present,  sen 
thay  nevir  oifendit  to  Romanis.  Alwayis,  he  was  content  baith  to 
geif  and  take  redres  with  the  Pichtis ;  and  thay  quhilkis  invadis 
uthir  with  injuris  in  times  cuming,  to  be  punist  as  the  crime  requirit. 
Forthir,  gif  the  Romanis,  be  advise  of  Pichtis,  wald  invade  him  but 
ony  just  occasion  of  battal,  he  micht  do  na  thing  les,  than  commend 
his  gud  actioun  to  God,  the  punisar  of  wrangis,  and  do  the  best  he 
micht  for  defence  of  his  realme  and  liberte :  for  the  Romanis,  as 
Weill  apperis,  ar  na  les  set  for  exterminioun  of  Pichtis,  than  of 
Scottis. 

Maximus,  efter  this  answer,  assemblit  ane  large  army  of  Romanis, 
Britonis,  and  Franchemen,  and  enterit  in  Westmureland,  ceissing 
fra  na  maner  of  cruelteis  on  the  inhabitantis  thairof ;  and  garnist  all 
the  strenthis  of  that  regioun  with  Romane  sodjouris.  And  sone  efter, 
he  come  in  Annandale,  Galloway,  and  sindry  uthir  boundis,  exer- 
cing  gret  cruelteis  on  the  same  maner. 


THE  SEXT  BUKE.  235 

The  Scottis,  herand  sa  huge  multitude  of  pepill  assemblit  aganis 
thaim,  war  afFrayit.  Nochtheles,  seand  na  uthir  remeid,  thay  come 
out  of  all  partis  of  Scotland,  be  command  of  Eugenius,  with  na  les 
manlieid  than  ardent  desire  to  resist  thair  ennimes,  and  faucht  with 
Romanis  beside  the  watter  of  Cree :  quhare  he  was  put  to  flicht,  and 
Jiis  army  discomfist.  Sa  gret  slauchter  was  maid  on  the  brayis  of 
» this  rever,  that  the  same  was  fillit  full  of  deid  bodyis.  The  Ro- 
manis followit  sa  fast  on  the  chace  of  Scottis,  quhill  at  last  thay  en- 
terit  in  ane  new  bergane  with  the  men  of  Argyle ;  for  thay  war 
cumin  forthwart  to  support  Eugenius  army,  knawing  na  thing  of 
this  discomfiture.  And  quhen  thay  saw  the  Romanis  follow  with 
sic  cruelteis  on  tlie  Scottis,  thay  ruschit  with  terribil  vissage,  noyis, 
and  rummising,  on  the  said  Romanis ;  and  maid  sic  undemus  slauch- 
ter on  thaim,  that  the  residew  of  the  Scottis,  quhilkis  war  laitly  diffait, 
returnit  to  battall,  and  chasit  the  Romanis  agane  to  thair  tentis,  in- 
vading thaim  with  continual]  slauchter,  quhill  the  nicht  put  end  to 
thair  laubour.  Thus  was  the  chance  of  battall  variant,  the  first  day, 
betwix  the  Scottis  and  thair  ennimes.  The  Romanis,  nocht  knaw- 
ing the  counsall  of  Scottis,  howbeit  mony  of  thaim  war  slane,  stud 
in  hovor,  nocht  knawing  quhidder  thay  wald  renew  battal  in  the 
samin  nicht,  or  abide  the  day.  Yit,  to  have  diaim  reddy  aganis  all 
chance  that  micht  follow,  ihay  stuffit  thair  tentis  with  maist  crafty 
ordinance.  Eugenius  seing,  on  the  morrow,  his  pepill  broldn  with 
sic  innoumerable  slauchter,  raisit  his  tentis  within  the  nicht,  and 
come  to  Carrik :  quhair  he  tuk  lang  consultatioun,  how  he  micht 
arme  him  best  aganis  al  chance  of  battal  that  micht  follow.  IMaxi- 
mus,  on  the  morow,  intending  to  persew  the  Scottis  with  new  bat- 
tall, wes  advertist  of  gret  seditioun  rising  in  Britane ;  speciallie 
amang  thaim  that  dwelt  within  the  Romane  provincis.  Thir  no- 
veUis  causit  him  to  desist  fra  his  purpos,  and  returne  in  Kent.  Eftir 
that,  he  garnist  all  the  strenhis  of  Galloway  with  men,  munitionis, 
and  vittallis.  Thir  wer  the  dedis  of  Maximus  aganis  Scottis  in  the 
first  yeris. 


236  CRONIKLIS  OF  SCOTLAND. 


How  Maximus  returnit  in  Galloxvay,  to  revenge  the  injuris  done  be 
Scottis  aganis  PiclUis.  How  Eugenius  come  'with  l.m  men,  to 
resist  the  Romanis,  Pichtis,  and  Britonis.  How  he  was  slane, 
his  brothir  tane,  and  Ms  army  discomfist